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Google Removes Bans on AI for Weapons and Surveillance in Major Policy Shift

Google has updated its AI principles, removing its commitment to not develop AI for weapons and surveillance, as stated by James Manyika and Demis Hassabis in a blog post on February 4, 2025.
The company's new principles include commitments to human oversight and alignment with international law, despite previous pledges against harmful applications.
Margaret Mitchell expressed concern that this change erases important ethical work and suggests Google may develop lethal technologies.
Human rights advocate Sarah Leah Whitson criticized Google, calling it a 'corporate war machine' following the removal of ethical AI commitments.

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New York Post

Google retracts promise not to use AI for weapons or surveillance — prompting employee backlash: ‘Are we the baddies?’

Google employees are reportedly up in arms over management's decision to walk back a promise not to use AI for weaponry and surveillance tools.

1 month ago·New York, United States

Google drops pledge not to use AI for weapons

The technology giant has rewritten the principles that guide its development and use of AI but a section pledging not to develop tech “that cause or are likely to cause harm” has now been removed

1 month ago·Ireland

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Tech Spot

Google abandons 'do no harm' AI stance, opens door to military weapons

This change, first noticed by Bloomberg, marks a shift from the company's earlier stance on responsible AI development.

1 month ago

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Straight Arrow News

Google reverses pledge to not use AI for weapons or surveillance

Google updated its public AI ethics policy. The decision reverses the company's promise that it won’t use the technology to pursue applications for weapons and surveillance. Google is defending the change, saying it now has a better "understanding of AI's potential and risks." Some are criticizing the decision with one Google employee saying "the company should not be in the business of war." Full Story In a sharp reversal from its original prin…

1 month ago

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GZERO Media

Hard Numbers: Guatemala to take more deportees, Google axes ban on AI for weapons, Taliban shuts women’s radio, Israelis like Trump’s Gaza plan, Scientists virtually unwrap ancient scroll

40: During a press conference with visiting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced Wednesday that his country will accept 40% more deportation flights from the United States. Guatemala also agreed to the creation of a task force for border control aimed at fighting “all forms of transnational crime.” Under the previous administration, Guatemala received roughly 14 deportation flights per week.0: The numbe…

1 month ago

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