Bytes: Week in Review — Google’s AI policy pivot, OpenAI teams up with California colleges, and robotaxis arrive in Austin
Feb 7, 2025
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Natasha Mascarenhas, a Reporter at The Information, shares insights on significant changes in AI policy from Google, including their decision to remove restrictions on using AI for military purposes. She discusses OpenAI's collaboration with California colleges to launch ChatGPT EDU, aimed at enhancing AI literacy among students. Additionally, the conversation covers the arrival of robotaxis in Austin, exploring how driverless technology is reshaping transportation and its implications for passenger safety and the rideshare industry.
Google's revision of its AI principles signals a strategy shift towards potential military applications, raising ethical concerns among employees and industry analysts.
OpenAI's partnership with California universities aims to integrate advanced AI tools into education, emphasizing academic integrity while navigating technology access disparities.
Deep dives
Google's Evolving AI Principles
Google has recently revised its AI principles, removing previous commitments that prohibited the use of AI in weaponry and surveillance. This shift is reflective of a broader trend among tech companies to adopt more flexible language regarding the application of their technologies. Analysts note that as major AI developers, including OpenAI, have begun partnerships in defense sectors, Google appears to follow suit, potentially opening doors to lucrative government contracts. The implications of this change have sparked concerns among employees, particularly those who have protested against the company's military collaborations in the past.
ChatGPT's Expansion in Higher Education
OpenAI's ChatGPT is set to be integrated into California state universities, marking a significant step in leveraging AI for educational purposes. This initiative aims to provide students and faculty with enhanced access to advanced AI tools, while addressing concerns about academic integrity. By offering an enterprise-level version of ChatGPT, educational institutions can promote AI literacy among students, equipping them with valuable skills for the job market. The rollout is expected to foster a more inclusive learning environment, although it raises questions about potential disparities between institutions that can afford such technologies and those that cannot.
The Future of Driverless Rides with Uber and Waymo
Uber is collaborating with Waymo to introduce driverless taxi services in Austin, expanding the reach of autonomous vehicle technology. As these rides become part of mainstream transportation, users are beginning to appreciate the comfort and privacy of driverless cars, particularly in urban settings. However, the transition to automated rides poses challenges, including the potential impact on existing driver jobs and public safety concerns regarding the technology's readiness. The partnership signifies a shift in Uber's strategy after previous unsuccessful attempts at developing its own autonomous vehicle division.
On this week’s Marketplace “Tech Bytes: Week in Review,” we’ll explore OpenAI’s inroads in higher education. Plus, how passengers can get on a waitlist to hail a driverless car in Austin, Texas. But first, a look at how Google is changing its approach to artificial intelligence. In 2018, the company published its “AI principles,” guidelines for how it believed AI should be built and used. Google originally included language that said it would not design or deploy AI to be used in weapons or surveillance. That language has now gone away. Google didn’t respond to our request for comment, but it did say in a blog post this week that companies and governments should work together to create AI that, among other things, supports national security. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter at The Information, about these topics for this week’s “Tech Bytes.”
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