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Marketplace Tech

Bytes: Week in Review — Google’s AI policy pivot, OpenAI teams up with California colleges, and robotaxis arrive in Austin

Feb 7, 2025
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.
14:31

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Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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