Cite Company Motto 'Don't Be Evil'

Google employees are asking company management to end its participation in the Department of Defence Project Maven, which would incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drone surveillance software.

USA Today reports that more than 3,000 employees have reportedly signed a letter requesting that the company withdraw from the project, citing the company's motto "Don't Be Evil".

Google says in response that the company's involvement is only for "non-offensive purposes". The AI software would only be used "to flag images for human review and is intended to save lives and save people from having to do highly tedious work."

While management says that the technology would "not 'operate or fly drones" and "will not be used to launch weapons", the employees say in their letter that once the technology is delivered, "it could easily be used to assist in these tasks." They say that participation in the project should be cancelled immediately to "enforce a clear policy stating that neither Google nor its contractors will ever build warfare technology."

FMI: Original report