Google is partnering with the National Guard to provide artificial intelligence tools that can analyze images of disaster areas, helping them respond faster and more effectively. The technology developed by Bellwether, a group within Google’s innovation lab, can identify locations, roads, buildings, and infrastructure by comparing aerial photos with satellite imagery and maps. This collaboration highlights the increasing involvement of Silicon Valley in working with the Defense Department, with more tech companies building specific technologies for the military. Google, despite its complicated history with the U.S. military, has returned to military work and will be providing AI for disaster response, not military action.
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After facing internal and external backlash for its involvement in Project Maven, a Pentagon project using AI to improve drone targeting, Google had stepped back from direct military contracts, leading to the establishment of clear guidelines that govern its projects with the military, focusing on non-offensive purposes. This strategic decision to provide AI tools for disaster relief can be seen as part of Google’s efforts to rehabilitate and reshape its relationship with the military, focusing on humanitarian and rescue operations.
