Google Shifts Stance on AI and Military Use Amid Geopolitical Tensions

In a significant policy shift, Google has announced that it will now support the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for national security purposes, a reversal of its longstanding commitment not to engage in AI development for military weaponry. This shift was revealed in a blog post co-authored by two senior figures at Google: James Manyika, senior vice-president of Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Sir Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind.

In the post, the executives emphasized that the rapid pace of AI innovation and the growing geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding China’s military ambitions, necessitate that “free countries” leverage AI to maintain national security. This marks a sharp contrast to a 2018 pledge made by Google, which vowed not to use AI for projects “whose principal purpose or implementation is to cause or directly facilitate injury to people.” The company made that promise after staff protests over its involvement in a Pentagon drone project.

Critics of Google’s recent decision argue that the company is abandoning its core values, citing the removal of its well-known “don’t be evil” motto in 2015 following the company’s restructuring under Alphabet. The decision also raises concerns about Google’s potential role in developing military technologies, with some fearing it could prioritize national security over ethics and responsibility.

Manyika and Hassabis defended the policy change, stating that China’s growing military interest in AI has raised significant concerns. They pointed out that Beijing has already earmarked AI as crucial to its future “revolution in military affairs” and is reportedly working on developing advanced autonomous weapons. The emergence of Chinese-developed AI tools, such as DeepSeek, which some tests suggest outperform Western counterparts, has sparked fears of a technological “Sputnik moment” in the AI race.

Google has faced internal scrutiny and staff opposition in the past regarding its defense-sector ties. In 2018, employees petitioned the company to withdraw from a U.S. military drone program, and the company’s partnerships with foreign governments, especially in Israel, have drawn further controversy. Additionally, in 2023, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather of AI,” left Google, warning that the technology could eventually pose a threat to humanity.

Despite the backlash, Google’s leadership maintains that democratic countries must lead the charge in AI development to ensure the technology is used responsibly. The executives stressed that collaboration between companies, governments, and organizations with shared democratic values is essential for ensuring AI’s ethical application, including its potential use in national defense.