On February 4, 2025, Google updated its artificial intelligence ethics guidelines and deleted the terms that had previously promised not to use artificial intelligence technology for weapon research and development and surveillance applications. This decision has attracted widespread attention and discussion around the world. In its updated guidelines, Google emphasized that it will work with governments and other agencies to develop artificial intelligence technologies that "protect people, promote global growth, and support national security."

Google's policy adjustment is not an isolated incident, but a major reflection and adjustment of its own ethical principles in the context of the rapid development of AI technology. When Google first released its AI principles in 2018, it made it clear that it would not use AI technology for weapons or surveillance. However, with the continuous advancement of AI technology and the changes in the global competitive landscape, Google believes that the original principles can no longer fully adapt to the current technological development needs.

Google's updated AI ethics guidelines mainly include the following aspects:

Responsible Development and Deployment: Google stresses that the development and deployment of AI technology must comply with "widely accepted international law" and "human rights principles" and establish feedback mechanisms to ensure the correct use of technology. Reduce unexpected or harmful consequences: Google will use testing and supervision mechanisms to ensure that AI technology does not have unexpected or harmful effects. Avoid unfair bias: Google promises to avoid unfair bias in its AI technology and ensure the fairness and transparency of the technology. Proper human supervision: Google notes that as long as human supervision is in, customers can use their generative AI in “high-risk” areas such as healthcare.

Google's AI ethical policy update has had a profound impact on the industry as a whole. On the one hand, Google's decision cleared the obstacles to the application of AI technology in the fields of defense and security. As governments grow demand for AI in military, intelligence and other fields, Google is expected to play a more important role in these key areas.

However, this policy adjustment has also triggered a reexamination of AI ethical standards in the industry. The AI ​​principle established by Google in 2018 was once regarded as a benchmark for the industry and led the development direction of global AI ethics. Today, Google's move to relax restrictions may trigger other technology companies to follow suit, thereby weakening the global resistance to weaponization and surveillance technology.

Google's AI ethical policy update has not only triggered widespread discussions in the industry, but also had a profound impact on the legal and social levels.

Legal level: Google's new policy emphasizes that the development and use of AI technology must comply with international law and human rights principles. However, the ambiguity of this policy may lead to controversy in legal interpretation. For example, what is "widely accepted international law"? How to ensure that the use of AI technology does not violate these laws? These issues require further legal discussion and clarification. Social level: Google's policy updates have raised public concerns about the potential risks of AI technology. On the one hand, the public is concerned that AI technology being used in weapons and surveillance may lead to privacy violations and human rights issues. On the other hand, internal Google employees also expressed concerns about this policy adjustment, believing that this may be contrary to Google's "no evil" corporate culture.

Google's AI ethics policy update has sparked widespread discussions between experts and the public. Some experts believe that Google's policy adjustment is moving towards a more intelligent and efficient direction, and it also brings a demonstration role to other technology companies. However, some experts also pointed out that overemphasizing technical security may limit innovation space and cause unnecessary trouble to ordinary users.

The public responded to Google's policy adjustments in a mixed manner. On the one hand, some public believe that Google's decision will help promote the application of AI technology in the fields of national defense and security, thereby protecting national security. On the other hand, some public are concerned that this policy adjustment may lead to the abuse of AI technology, which poses a threat to personal privacy and social security.

Google's AI ethical policy update is a complex decision that reflects the difficult balance of technology companies between technological development, business interests and social responsibility. In the future, Google needs to continue to work hard in the following aspects:

Strengthen ethical review: Google needs to establish a stricter ethical review mechanism to ensure that the development and use of AI technology complies with ethical standards. Transparency and Oversight: Google needs to increase transparency in the development and use of AI technology and accept public and government supervision. International Cooperation: Google needs to cooperate with other countries and international organizations to jointly formulate global AI ethical standards.

Google's AI ethical policy update is not only an internal decision-making for an enterprise, but also a global issue. In the future, how to find a balance between technological development, business interests and social responsibility will be a common challenge for global technology companies and governments.

Google's decision to update its AI ethical policy has sparked widespread attention and discussion around the world. This policy adjustment not only has a profound impact on Google's own development, but also brings new challenges and opportunities to the entire AI industry, legal and social levels. In the future, Google needs to find a balance between technological development, business interests and social responsibility, while strengthening ethical review and international cooperation to ensure that the development of AI technology is in the interests of mankind.