This opinion piece expresses concern over Google's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) development, particularly its simultaneous establishment of an AI lab in China and termination of a Pentagon contract. The author, a former investor in DeepMind (now part of Google), highlights the dual-use nature of AI, emphasizing its potential for military applications.
The article argues that AI's power lies in its application to seemingly mundane tasks like computer vision and data analysis, making it highly valuable to militaries for intelligence gathering and cyber warfare.
The author finds Google's actions contradictory and alarming. Opening an AI lab in China, where military applications are difficult to discern, while simultaneously ending a Pentagon contract, raises concerns about Google's priorities. The author cites former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who emphasizes the opacity of military-civilian projects in China.
The central argument is that Google's decisions prioritize profit over American national security. By developing AI technologies in China, Google risks contributing to a potential military advantage for China, thereby undermining American interests. The author concludes that this is not just a business decision but a strategic matter with profound national security implications.