Google AI Insights Predict: You’re Not Late, It’s Still 2024!

“Google AI Overviews Says It’s Still 2024”

“Google’s AI overseer, the Advanced Technology External Advisory Council (ATEAC), is dead. Long live its replacement, AI at Google. That’s how Google tried to spin the untimely demise of ATEAC, which was supposed to guide the company in its quest to responsibly develop AI, but fell apart after some members were criticized for their views on trans people and immigrants.”

Quite a fiery introduction, isn’t it? Google’s AI watchmen are no more, long live AI at Google! Very poetic. So here’s the scenario: The ATEAC, originally tasked with steering Google in its noble pursuit of ethically creating AI collapsed under scrutiny as some of the members’ views weren’t exactly progressive. Interesting plot twist!

Google then decided to release its annual AI ethics report for everyone’s judgement. This 53-page document can be found directly on the company’s website and extensively details its accomplishments (good to know, right?), ongoing initiatives, and future plans. The report was released as a part of Google’s initiative to boost transparency, which is pretty ironic since the whole thing kicks off by reiterating Google’s commitment to responsible AI development. Quite the paradox, considering the recent ATEAC drama.

The report contains a lot of information about the company’s AI-related activities and there truly is some commendable progress. For example, Google proudly reports about their development in AI research, third-party collaboration, and reducing environmental impact. However, the report seems to predominantly be a PR exercise more than anything else.

The report also includes areas that Google needs to improve, such as racial and gender diversity. They state that they have made some progress, but there is still a long way to go. That’s like saying, “we’ve got our shoes on, but we’re not quite ready to run the marathon.”

The company takes great pains to emphasise the importance of transparency and it states that the report will be annually updated. Last year’s report was similar, but it lacked a significant discussion of ‘failures’. Google’s turning a new leaf in this year’s report, openly discussing sensitive topics like its application of AI to sensitive domains.

To sum it up, the report seems like a well-devised PR stratagem. It outlines several updates and future plans that promise a lot of work in the field of AI. But considering the recent controversy, the validity of Google’s AI ethics and the progress made in the areas mentioned – well, let’s just say they’re open-ended questions.

As the saying goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” We’ll just have to wait and see if Google walks the path they’ve outlined or if this is just another case of over-promises and under-delivery. After all, in the world of AI development, trust is earned, not given.

Read the original article here: https://www.wired.com/story/google-ai-overviews-says-its-still-2024/