A Google researcher says they're 'ashamed' after the company signed a Pentagon deal for classified work

A Google DeepMind researcher expressed profound disappointment after the tech giant finalized a deal with the Pentagon for classified projects involving AI. Andreas Kirsch, a research scientist at Google DeepMind, took to social media to voice his concerns, stating, "I'm speechless at Google signing a deal to use our AI models for classified tasks. Frankly, it is shameful." Kirsch's comments came in response to a report revealing that Google had authorized the Department of Defense to utilize its AI technologies in sensitive operations. This decision followed a letter from over 600 Google employees who urged CEO Sundar Pichai to prevent the deployment of their AI for military purposes. Kirsch shared his initial hope that the employee letter would influence the company's decisions, only to wake up to the news that the contract had been signed. In a statement to Business Insider, a Google representative clarified that the recent agreement was simply an amendment to a previous contract initiated last year for unclassified military applications. The spokesperson emphasized that Google engages with government entities on both classified and unclassified initiatives, contributing its expertise in various fields such as logistics and cybersecurity while maintaining a stance against the use of AI for domestic surveillance or autonomous weaponry without adequate human oversight. However, Kirsch expressed frustration at the lack of open dialogue regarding the implications of such contracts, especially given that regulations have yet to adequately address the ethical concerns surrounding AI in military contexts. He pointed out that the company had previously revised its AI principles, removing commitments against developing AI for weaponry or surveillance. This shift, according to Kirsch, has opened the door for projects that could lead to unethical applications of AI. In his social media post, Kirsch also referenced a similar agreement between OpenAI and the Pentagon, questioning how Google could justify signing a contract that seems even less stringent, potentially jeopardizing trust in the company. As internal reactions continue to unfold, many Google employees share Kirsch's discontent regarding the direction of the company's involvement in defense contracts.