Google has quietly removed a pledge from its website stating that it would not develop artificial intelligence (AI) for weapons or surveillance purposes. The change was first spotted by Bloomberg, and the company's updated AI principles page no longer includes a section titled "applications we will not pursue."

The removed section was still present on the website as recently as last week, sparking concerns about Google's commitment to responsible AI development. When asked for comment, the company pointed to a new blog post on "responsible AI," which emphasizes the importance of collaboration between companies, governments, and organizations to create AI that "protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security."

However, the updated AI principles page still notes that Google will work to "mitigate unintended or harmful outcomes and avoid unfair bias," as well as align its AI development with "widely accepted principles of international law and human rights." While this language suggests a continued commitment to responsible AI development, the removal of the explicit pledge against AI for weapons and surveillance has raised eyebrows.

Google's decision comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding its contracts with the U.S. and Israeli militaries to provide cloud services. In recent years, these contracts have sparked internal protests from employees, who have expressed concerns about the potential use of Google's AI technology for harmful purposes. While the company has maintained that its AI is not used to harm humans, the Pentagon's AI chief recently told TechCrunch that some company's AI models are speeding up the U.S. military's kill chain.

The implications of Google's decision are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the development and deployment of AI technology in the military and surveillance sectors. As AI continues to play an increasingly prominent role in modern warfare and national security, the lack of clear guidelines and regulations around its development and use raises important ethical and moral questions.

Google's move has also sparked concerns about the accountability of tech companies in the development of AI technology. As private companies increasingly drive innovation in the AI space, there is a growing need for transparency and accountability around their development and deployment of AI systems. The removal of Google's pledge against AI for weapons and surveillance serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ongoing scrutiny and oversight in this area.

In conclusion, Google's decision to remove its pledge against AI for weapons and surveillance from its website has sparked important questions about the company's commitment to responsible AI development and the broader implications for the development and deployment of AI technology. As the tech industry continues to drive innovation in the AI space, it is crucial that companies prioritize transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations in their development and deployment of AI systems.