Google has made a significant shift in its artificial intelligence (AI) principles, removing commitments to avoid developing AI for use in surveillance, weapons, and technology intended to injure people. The updated guidelines, published on Tuesday, coincide with a blog post from Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Google's senior executive for technology and society James Manyika, outlining new "core tenets" for responsible AI development.

The revised AI ethics guidelines no longer include specific commitments to prevent harm, instead focusing on innovation, collaboration, and responsible AI development. This move brings Google more in line with competing AI developers, such as Meta and OpenAI, which permit some instances of military use for their AI technologies.

The change has sparked concerns among some Google employees, who had previously objected to the company's involvement in military contracts, including Project Maven, a 2018 Pentagon project that used AI to analyze drone footage, and its 2021 Project Nimbus military cloud contract with the Israeli government. These agreements had raised questions about whether Google was violating its own AI principles.

In a 2015 interview with Wired, Demis Hassabis had stated that the acquisition of DeepMind by Google included terms preventing the use of DeepMind technology in military or surveillance applications. However, the updated guidelines seem to have relaxed these restrictions, citing a "complex geopolitical landscape" as the reason for the change.

The blog post from Hassabis and Manyika emphasizes the importance of democracies leading in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. They argue that companies, governments, and organizations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security.

This shift in Google's AI principles has significant implications for the industry, as it opens up possibilities for the development of AI technologies with military applications. The move is likely to spark further debate about the ethics of AI development and the role of tech companies in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

In the context of the ongoing AI race, Google's updated guidelines may be seen as a strategic move to stay competitive with other AI developers. The company has announced plans to spend $75 billion on AI development this year, underscoring its commitment to becoming a leader in the field.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the consequences of Google's decision to relax its AI principles will be closely watched. The tech giant's move may have far-reaching implications for the development of AI technologies, and the industry will be waiting to see how this change plays out in the coming months and years.