Google Removes AI Weapon and Surveillance Pledge
A Google spokesperson pointed to the company’s new AI guidelines, which emphasize democracy, human rights, and collaboration.
Google has revised its AI principles, removing previous commitments to not use artificial intelligence for military or surveillance purposes.
The change comes shortly after Google CEO Sundar Pichai and other tech leaders attended US President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The updated principles, posted on Tuesday, no longer include the promises Pichai made in 2018 to refrain from developing AI for weaponry or surveillance that violates international norms.
A Google spokesperson pointed to the company’s new AI guidelines, which emphasize democracy, human rights, and collaboration.
The blog post, authored by Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis and senior VP James Manyika, states: “We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights.” The post also highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments, companies, and organizations to develop AI that enhances global growth and national security.
Previously, Pichai had explicitly stated Google would not create or use AI for weapons that harm people or for surveillance that infringes on human rights. This language has been omitted from the latest update.
The changes follow President Trump’s reversal of an executive order by former President Biden, which had imposed stricter regulations on AI, including mandatory safety practices.
Companies in the AI sector now face fewer obligations to disclose risks tied to AI technology.
Despite the shift, Google remains committed to transparency, publishing an annual report on its AI initiatives. “Billions of people are using AI in their everyday lives,” Hassabis and Manyika noted, underscoring the importance of global leadership in AI development.
Google’s initial AI principles came after employee protests over its involvement in a Pentagon project aimed at enhancing weapon systems using AI.
Google ended its participation in the project, but the updated principles signal a shift in the company’s stance on AI ethics.