Google Removes Ban on AI for Weapons and Surveillance in New Policy Update

Google Removes AI Weapons and Surveillance Restrictions

Google has recently updated its principles on artificial intelligence, leaving behind previous promises not to use the technology for military or surveillance purposes.

The company’s revised guidelines now focus on the belief that AI should support national security and foster global growth.

This revision, which removes earlier commitments made by CEO Sundar Pichai in 2018, comes just weeks after tech leaders, including Pichai, attended the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.

Original AI Pledges Abandoned

In 2018, Google made a bold commitment to refrain from using AI for harmful purposes, such as developing weapons or facilitating surveillance that violated international norms.

However, these promises have now been omitted from the latest set of AI principles.

A Google spokesperson pointed to a blog post where the updated guidelines were shared, but the former restrictions on weapons and surveillance were notably absent.

The company’s statement now reads:

"We believe democracies should lead in AI development, guided by core values like freedom, equality, and respect for human rights."

AI as a Key Tool for Global Cooperation

The new principles emphasise the importance of collaboration between businesses, governments, and organisations that share similar democratic values.

The revised stance asserts that AI can be a force for good, contributing to the protection of people, supporting global economic development, and advancing national security.

Google's senior leaders, Demis Hassabis of DeepMind and James Manyika, argue that these principles are crucial as AI continues to evolve and integrate into everyday life for billions of people around the world.

Shifting Geopolitical Landscape and AI Progress

The company's original stance against AI in military applications stemmed from employee concerns over Google’s involvement in a Pentagon project that sought to use AI in weapons systems.

In response to internal protests, Google terminated its contract for the project, Project Maven.

Now, the firm is adapting to an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, where AI plays a critical role in national security.

Hassabis and Manyika stated in their blog:

"We believe that companies, governments, and organisations sharing these values should work together to create AI that protects people, promotes global growth, and supports national security."

Google's Big Investment in AI Technology

Despite this change in principles, Google is ramping up its investment in AI.

The company has committed $75 billion to AI projects in 2025, a 29% increase from the previous year.

This investment will go toward strengthening AI infrastructure, research, and developing applications, including the AI-powered search features of Google Gemini.

The company’s financial report revealed a 10% revenue rise, with AI being a central part of its future growth strategy.

A Company in Transition

This change in AI policy shows how Google's approach is evolving, highlighting the increasing role of AI in business and global affairs.

The tech giant has previously been criticised by staff for its involvement in military projects, as well as for adopting a more corporate approach after its rebranding to Alphabet in 2015.

The company’s motto, once "Don’t be evil," was replaced with "Do the right thing" after restructuring.

Despite pushback from employees, particularly in 2018 when Google pulled out of Project Maven, the company’s new AI strategy suggests a more pragmatic view of the technology’s potential, particularly in the context of global competition for AI leadership.

The absence of the previous weapons and surveillance bans signals a new phase in Google's AI development, which could lead to significant changes in the way the company engages with governments and the military.