We assess proposals for new AI research and applications for alignment with our Principles. As advanced technologies emerge and evolve, we’ll continue to refine our process.
At Google, a central team is dedicated to ethical reviews of new AI and advanced technologies before launch, working with internal domain experts in machine-learning fairness, security, privacy, human rights, the social sciences, and, for cultural context, Google’s employee resource groups.
Any team can request AI Principles advice. Reviewers also consider an ongoing pipeline of new AI research papers, product ideas and other projects. Reviewers identify relevant AI Principles as frameworks for action.
Reviewers analyze the scale and scope of a technology’s potential benefits and harms. Similar to a case law process, they apply precedents (e.g., see our approach to facial recognition). Reviewers consult with internal experts on privacy, security, ML fairness, and other domains as needed.
Reviewers recommend technical evaluations (e.g., checking for unfair bias in ML models). If necessary, they consult with trusted external advisors (e.g., human rights experts). Reviewers offer mitigation strategies; adjustments are made.
Reviewers decide whether to pursue or not pursue the AI application under review (e.g., Cloud AI Hub and text-to-speech). If multiple products might be affected, a council of senior Google executives decides. The decision can become a new precedent.
An update on our work on the AI Principles in 2020, including progress on training and education, tools and research, processes and governance, and external partnerships.
A 1-year update on our AI Principles, including progress on internal education, tools and research, the review process, and engaging with external stakeholders.
This blog post by Jeff Dean and Kent Walker outlines the latest tools, policies and practices we've developed to put our AI Principles into practice.
The ways in which artificial intelligence is built and deployed will significantly affect society. Our AI Principles form an ethical charter that guides the development and use of artificial intelligence in our research and products.
The development of AI is creating new opportunities to improve the lives of people around the world, from business to healthcare to education. It is also raising new questions about the best way to build fairness, interpretability, privacy, and security into these systems.