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Google has changed its rules about how its artificial intelligence (AI) can be used.
In the past, Google said it wouldn’t use AI for things like weapons or spying on people in ways that go against international standards. Google’s rules were written down and shared publicly.
But now, Google has changed those rules. The promise not to use AI for weapons or unusual spying is no longer there.
This change comes at the same time AI technology is developing very quickly. Since a new AI tool called ChatGPT came out in 2022, lots of companies are working hard to make better AI. However, there aren’t many new laws about how to use AI safely and ethically.
Google leaders said that they’ve learned more about the good and bad things AI can do. They also said that many countries are trying to be the best at AI. They believe countries that value things like freedom and human rights should lead the way in AI development. They want companies, governments, and other groups to work together to make AI that helps people, grows the world’s economy, and keeps countries safe.
Google first made its AI rules in 2018. This change is a big shift from those original ideas. In 2018, Google even stopped trying to get a big contract with the US military because some workers at Google worried it might use AI in ways that were against their rules. Many Google workers even protested at that time.
Vocabulary
- Rule – A guideline or regulation; sometimes a law; A guide that tells us what we should or shouldn’t do
- Artificial intelligence (AI) – human intelligence in a machine. See more here.
- Weapon – Something used to hurt or harm people; a tool used to hurt people
- Spying – The act/action of secretly collecting information about someone or something, especially for military or political reasons
- Go against – to disagree with; to not follow; to protest;
- Standard – a set of rules or guidelines that are commonly accepted or followed
- Share – to tell someone or people about something; to make public; to announce; to give to other people
- Publicly – Doing something where everyone can see or know about it; In a way that can be seen by everyone
- Promise – To say you will definitely do something
- Unusual – not normal or typical; strange
- No longer – in the past but not now; stopped; not anymore
- Develop – to make into something more advanced; to improve; to grow something to become better
- Law – a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Ethically – Doing what is right and fair
- Leader – someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
- Value – how much something is worth in money; “price”; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something
- Freedom – Being able to do what you want; no restrictions
- Human rights – Basic rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to or should have; standards or rules that try to protect the dignity of all human beings
- Government – the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Economy – the system according to which the money, industry, businesses and trade of a country/region are organized; the supply of money, production of goods and purchase of goods; the flow of money between people, businesses and government
- Shift – To change or move from one thing to another.
- Original – the first one made and not a copy; the origin or beginning; not a remake
- Contract – an agreement between two or more people or organizations; an agreement to perform or complete a job
- Military – armed forces; army; agency or department of a government for combat/war
- Protest – an event where people come together to show strong disapproval/disagreement about something; demonstration; rally; to fight against
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- Do you think it’s important for companies like Google to have rules about how their AI is used? Why or why not?
- What are some possible good things that can come from AI? What are some possible bad things?
- Should there be laws about how AI is developed and used? If so, what kinds of things should these laws cover?
- If you were a Google worker, how would you feel about the changes to the AI rules?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
Google has _____ its rules about how its artificial intelligence (AI) can be _____.
In the past, Google _____ it wouldn’t use AI for things like weapons or spying on _____ in ways that go against international standards. Google’s _____ were written down and shared publicly.
But _____, Google has changed those rules. The promise not to use AI for _____ or unusual spying is no longer there.
This change _____ at the same time AI technology is developing very _____. Since a new AI tool called ChatGPT came out in _____, lots of companies are working hard to make _____ AI. However, there aren’t many new laws about _____ to use AI safely and ethically.
Google leaders said that they’ve _____ more about the good and bad things AI can _____. They also said that many countries are trying to be the _____ at AI. They believe countries that value things like _____ and human rights should lead the _____ in AI development. They want companies, governments, and other _____ to work together to make AI that helps people, grows the world’s economy, and _____ countries safe.
Google first _____ its AI rules in 2018. This change is a big shift from _____ original ideas. In 2018, Google even stopped trying to get a big _____ with the US military because some workers at Google _____ it might use AI in ways that were against their _____. Many Google workers even _____ at that time.
