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Google CEO secretly met Pentagon leaders over AI project: report
PTI
Washington, October 06, 2018 14:25 IST
Updated: October 06, 2018 14:27 IST
Google’s chief executive quietly paid a visit to the Pentagon to ease tensions that erupted after employee outrage prompted the tech giant to sever a controversial defence contract to analyse drone video, according to a media report.
Google’s chief executive met with a group of civilian leaders and military leaders mostly from the office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Intelligence, the Defence Department directorate that oversees the artificial-intelligence drone system known as Project Maven, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about the meeting, The Washington Post reported.
Google had worked with the Defence Department to develop Project Maven, which uses artificial-intelligence to automatically tag cars, buildings and other objects in videos recorded by drones flying over conflict zones. But in June, the tech giant said it would not renew its contract following an uprising from employees, who criticised the work as helping the military track and kill with greater efficiency, the report said.
A Defence Department spokesperson said, “We do not comment on the details of private meetings. Department leaders routinely meet with industry partners to discuss innovative technologies. These meetings support continuing dialogue aimed at solving future technology challenges.”
A spokeswoman for Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The secrecy surrounding Google’s chief executive visit highlights one of the tech giant’s most challenging binds: how to retain Silicon Valley workers angered by the moral implications of developing warfare technology while also staying in the running for Washington’s lucrative military contracts, the paper said.
Google’s change-of-heart over Project Maven, its first big artificial-intelligence partnership with the Pentagon, has become a key source of tension between the tech giant and military officials, who felt that Google should have done a better job communicating that the technology could help keep servicemembers out of harm’s way, according to a source familiar with the work.
Google’s decision to terminate its relationship with Project Maven also has drawn sharp rebukes from congressional lawmakers, particularly Republicans, who were the focus of Google’s chief executive rare, two-day swing through Washington last week.
PTI Washington, October 06, 2018 14:25 IST
Updated: October 06, 2018 14:27 IST
Google’s chief executive quietly paid a visit to the Pentagon to ease tensions that erupted after employee outrage prompted the tech giant to sever a controversial defence contract to analyse drone video, according to a media report.
Google’s chief executive met with a group of civilian leaders and military leaders mostly from the office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Intelligence, the Defence Department directorate that oversees the artificial-intelligence drone system known as Project Maven, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about the meeting, The Washington Post reported.
Google had worked with the Defence Department to develop Project Maven, which uses artificial-intelligence to automatically tag cars, buildings and other objects in videos recorded by drones flying over conflict zones. But in June, the tech giant said it would not renew its contract following an uprising from employees, who criticised the work as helping the military track and kill with greater efficiency, the report said.
A Defence Department spokesperson said, “We do not comment on the details of private meetings. Department leaders routinely meet with industry partners to discuss innovative technologies. These meetings support continuing dialogue aimed at solving future technology challenges.”
A spokeswoman for Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The secrecy surrounding Google’s chief executive visit highlights one of the tech giant’s most challenging binds: how to retain Silicon Valley workers angered by the moral implications of developing warfare technology while also staying in the running for Washington’s lucrative military contracts, the paper said.
Google’s change-of-heart over Project Maven, its first big artificial-intelligence partnership with the Pentagon, has become a key source of tension between the tech giant and military officials, who felt that Google should have done a better job communicating that the technology could help keep servicemembers out of harm’s way, according to a source familiar with the work.
Google’s decision to terminate its relationship with Project Maven also has drawn sharp rebukes from congressional lawmakers, particularly Republicans, who were the focus of Google’s chief executive rare, two-day swing through Washington last week.
