On 13th Dec, Google said in a blog post that it will avoid retailing its facial recognition devices till it can set up policies which stop misuse of the debatable tech. The tech titan is collaborating with other teams to recognize problems regarding facial recognition that permits a linked camera to match the image of an individual with a database for identification.
“Like many technologies with multiple uses, facial recognition merits careful consideration to ensure its use is aligned with our principles and values, and avoids abuse and harmful outcomes,” senior vice president of global affairs, Kent Walker, mentioned. The statements approached as the search titan co-hosted the “AI for Social Good Summit” in Bangkok.
Google’s choice to not commercialize face recognition tech follows blowback at other tech firms that are modelling ground-breaking services. Microsoft and Amazon workers have disputed over fears that their firms’ associations with US Customs Enforcement and Immigration and law implementation bodies could include the technology. In July, Brad Smith, Microsoft President claimed that the firm was not backing any government use of face recognition technology and previous week asked the governments across the globe to legalize the tech.
Besides tech firms, Taylor Swift, a pop star, went under controversy for reportedly utilizing face recognition software to recognize her famous followers at a concert.
Facial recognition can be utilized for benign stuff, like unlocking the phone, and is likely to assist in circumstances like missing people cases. Still, Google claimed it is crucial to totally comprehend the effects of the tech before presenting it to more firms.
“This is a strong first step,” technology and civil liberties director for the American Civil Liberties Union of California, Nicole Ozer, claimed in an interview. “We will continue to put Google’s feet to the fire to make sure it doesn’t build or sell a face surveillance product that violates civil and human rights. We also renew our call on Amazon and Microsoft to not provide dangerous face surveillance to the government.”
Both Microsoft and Amazon did not instantly answer to appeals for comment. Google’s statement also came after the protest conducted by its workers for its use of AI. At the beginning of this year, the firm confronted resignations due to the agreement with the Pentagon for Maven, a contract that does drone footage analysis using artificial intelligence. Google chose to discontinue the project, and Sundar Pichai, its CEO, launched AI principles of the firm, a set of rules defining how the firm would and wouldn’t utilize the technology.
Google has also been examined for how Dragonfly, a debateable project, can use its AI, reportedly an attempt to initiate a censored search engine in China. Eight years ago, Google closed its search service in the country, quoting the government’s “totalitarian” rules. Earlier last week, Pichai testified before Congress and told policymakers that for now, the firm has “no plans” to release any search device.
