Google, Pentagon reportedly reach deal on lawful AI use
▼ Summary
– Google signed a classified deal with the US Department of Defense allowing use of its AI for any lawful government purpose.
– Google employees demanded CEO Sundar Pichai block the Pentagon from using its AI over concerns of inhumane use.
– The deal includes restrictions against domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, but Google cannot veto lawful government decisions.
– Google must adjust its AI safety settings and filters at the government’s request.
– A Google spokesperson stated the company is proud to support national security as part of a consortium of AI labs.
Google has reportedly finalized a classified agreement with the US Department of Defense, allowing the military to deploy its artificial intelligence models for what is termed “any lawful government purpose,” according to The Information. This development comes less than a day after Google employees publicly urged CEO Sundar Pichai to block the Pentagon’s access, citing fears the technology could be used in “inhumane or extremely harmful ways.”
If confirmed, this deal would place Google in the same league as OpenAI and xAI, both of which have already secured classified AI contracts with the US government. Anthropic was also a contender until it was blacklisted by the Pentagon for refusing to remove guardrails related to weapons and surveillance from its AI systems.
Citing a single anonymous source, The Information reports that the agreement stipulates both parties consent that Google’s AI systems should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without “appropriate human oversight and control.” However, the contract also explicitly states that it does not grant Google “any right to control or veto lawful government operational decision-making.” This suggests the agreed-upon restrictions may be more of a gentleman’s agreement than legally binding commitments. Additionally, the deal requires Google to assist in adjusting its AI safety settings and filters at the government’s request.
“We are proud to be part of a broad consortium of leading AI labs and technology and cloud companies providing AI services and infrastructure in support of national security,” a Google spokesperson told The Information. The spokesperson added that the new agreement is an amendment to its existing government contract. “We remain committed to the private and public sector consensus that AI should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry without appropriate human oversight.”
Update, April 28th: Replaced statement provided to Reuters with a statement that Google provided to The Information.
(Source: The Verge)
