Google has reportedly signed a deal with the US Pentagon to provide its artificial intelligence models for classified work, according to The Guardian. The tech company joins other Silicon Valley firms such as OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI in supplying AI tools for government use.
Key Takeaways
Google has reportedly signed an agreement with the US Pentagon to use its AI models for classified work, joining other tech firms like OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI. The deal allows the Pentagon to utilize Google’s AI for 'any lawful government purpose' but includes provisions prohibiting domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human oversight.
- Google signs deal with US Pentagon for classified AI use
- Agreement permits Pentagon to use AI for any lawful purpose
- Provisions prohibit domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons without human control
- Over 600 Google employees sign open letter protesting the agreement
The agreement allows the Pentagon to utilize Google's AI systems for 'any lawful government purpose,' per Reuters. This puts Google alongside major AI labs like Anthropic, which also have deals with the Pentagon. The contract includes provisions that prohibit using the AI system for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without appropriate human oversight and control.
The deal has sparked significant pushback from employees. On Monday, more than 600 Google workers signed an open letter to CEO Sundar Pichai expressing concerns about their work being used in 'inhumane or extremely harmful ways.' The letter asks the company to refuse making its AI systems available for classified workloads.
Google's agreement with the Pentagon comes despite internal fears and follows a shift in the company’s ethical guidelines. Last year, Alphabet lifted a ban on using AI for weapons and surveillance tools, removing language that promised not to pursue technologies causing overall harm. The change was met with concerns from employees who questioned whether their work would be used ethically.
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