Unlike some other companies, Google … [is] working through important technology and policy questions regarding facial recognition ” Kent Walker said. “Like many technologies with multiple uses, it merits careful consideration to ensure its use is aligned with our principles, values and avoids abuse and harmful outcomes.
In a blog post announcing support for the Asia Pacific AI for Social Good Research Network and highlighting Google’s efforts to use artificial intelligence (AI) to combat disease and natural disasters, Kent Walker, senior vice president of global affairs, wrote that Google wouldn’t offer a “general-purpose” facial recognition API through Google Cloud until the “challenges” had been “identified and addressed.”
In Ken Statment, “more than 400 million people in the world have diabetes. A third of them have diabetic retinopathy, a complication that can cause permanent blindness.” AI’s potential for social good extends to areas beyond healthcare he added.
“For several years, we’ve applied Google AI research and engineering to projects in Asia Pacific with positive societal impact, including stopping illegal fishing in Indonesia, forecasting floods in India, and conserving native bird species in New Zealand.
In September, a report in The Intercept revealed that IBM worked with the New York City Police Department to develop a system that allowed officials to search for people by skin color, hair color, gender, age, and various facial features. Using “thousands” of photographs from roughly 50 cameras provided by the NYPD, its AI learned to identify clothing color and other bodily characteristics. More details.