Google has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense that allows its artificial intelligence systems to be used for classified military tasks. This was reported by Bloomberg, according to UNN.
Details
According to sources, the agreement was signed on Monday at 4:00 PM. It provides the Pentagon with access to Google's commercial model APIs, allowing for a direct connection to the company's software, but does not include custom development or adaptation of the models.
The contract sparked criticism within the company
"We believe that providing API access to our commercial models is a responsible approach to supporting national security,"
They also emphasized that the company does not support the use of AI for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without human control.
Meta to track employee mouse movements and keystrokes for AI training22.04.26, 04:40
At the same time, the deal sparked protests among employees. Hundreds of AI researchers appealed to the company's leadership, calling for a withdrawal from participation in classified military projects. In a letter, they noted that such technologies could "centralize power" and carry risks of errors.
This is not the first such conflict within the company: in 2018, Google already withdrew from a contract with the Pentagon under Project Maven following internal protests. The new contract was signed as the Pentagon seeks new partners in the field of artificial intelligence after the termination of cooperation with other companies.
OpenAI launches drug discovery model, intensifying competition with Google17.04.26, 05:16