Google’s parent company, Alphabet, which has already faced regulatory pressure, is seeking to shape public perception and policy on artificial intelligence ahead of a global wave of technology regulation, according to Reuters.
In September, the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, announced the creation of a $120 million investment fund to develop artificial intelligence education programs.
“Familiarizing more people and organizations, including governments, with artificial intelligence and the use of artificial intelligence tools helps improve artificial intelligence policy and opens up new opportunities – it’s a virtuous cycle,” said Kent Walker, Alphabet’s president of global affairs.
While Google is competing against top big tech rivals, including Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Meta in the AI arena, the company is mindful of the strict regulatory scrutiny it faces in its existing advertising and search businesses.
Reuters reports that Google has offered to sell part of its advertising business in the European Union to appease regulators. In the United States, the Justice Department is forcing Google to abandon its Chrome web browser. However, this course may change under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Meanwhile, governments worldwide are developing new regulations on issues that could be exacerbated by AI, such as copyright and privacy.