Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI • Hacker News Board

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#31

Post by sailfast » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:38 PM UTC

This all works if you assume that any action the government takes must be “lawful”. The assumption here is that the Pentagon is obeying the law and any unlawful use would go through normal reporting / violation channels - same as any illegal order or violation or whistleblower report.

The Pentagon does not want Google or anyone else deciding what they can and cannot use their AI for. They’re saying we won’t break the law, and that should be enough for you - pinky swear!

And that seems to be enough for Google. Though I might request some auditing capability that is agentic to verify rather than take them at their word.

Next step: is Google FEDRAMP’d yet for this and for classified enclaves? Or do they also go through Palantir’s AI vehicle?

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#32

Post by vrganj » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:39 PM UTC

Capital and Big Tech have always been opportunistic enablers, not principled actors. Corporate Values have always been nothing but internal propaganda. "Don't be evil", what a farce.

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#33

Post by CobrastanJorji » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:40 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #3

Who defines "lawful" if Google and the Pentagon disagree? > The classified deal apparently doesn’t allow Google to veto how the government will use its AI models. Seems concerning?

That's presumably the trick, and it's not a subtle one; it's why the article puts it on quotes in the headline. Google gets to claim that it stood up for principles because it boldly insisted that the government obey the law, and the government will claim that whatever it decides to do is lawful. It's the same as what OpenAI did except not handled buffoonishly.

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#34

Post by vrganj » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:41 PM UTC

morkalork wrote: post #2

Will lawful use be determined in secret courts a la NSA and FISA?

Don't be silly.

"When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal." - Richard Nixon

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#35

Post by svachalek » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:42 PM UTC

john_strinlai wrote: post #8

there is 0 reason that the definitions of 'lawful' for the purposes of these agreements should be classified.

There's a reason, you just won't like it.

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#36

Post by tjwebbnorfolk » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:42 PM UTC

anematode wrote: post #28

Who could have seen this one coming. From yesterday: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-ai-pentagon-classified-u... ("Hundreds of Google workers urge CEO to refuse classified AI work with Pentagon"). Any AI researcher who continues to work here is morally compromised.

Why is it morally compromising to work with the military of the country you live in?

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#37

Post by flufluflufluffy » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:42 PM UTC

> We remain committed to the private and public sector consensus that AI should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry without appropriate human oversight.

And starts the lying to our faces. The public and private (from your own employees!) consensus is that it should not be used for those things at all, regardless of “human oversight.”

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#38

Post by ethagnawl » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:42 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #3

Who defines "lawful" if Google and the Pentagon disagree? > The classified deal apparently doesn’t allow Google to veto how the government will use its AI models. Seems concerning?

The classified aspect is probably the most concerning. How can I write my representative (and expect a form letter response six weeks later) if I don't know what I'm objecting to or even if I should be objecting?

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#39

Post by orochimaaru » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:42 PM UTC

anematode wrote: post #28

Who could have seen this one coming. From yesterday: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-ai-pentagon-classified-u... ("Hundreds of Google workers urge CEO to refuse classified AI work with Pentagon"). Any AI researcher who continues to work here is morally compromised.

Why is it morally wrong for a US citizen to work with their government?

Re: Google and Pentagon reportedly agree on deal for 'any lawful' use of AI

#40

Post by testfrequency » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:43 PM UTC

devin wrote: post #30

anematode wrote: post #28

Who could have seen this one coming. From yesterday: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/google-ai-pentagon-classified-u... ("Hundreds of Google workers urge CEO to refuse classified AI work with Pentagon"). Any AI researcher who continues to work here is morally compromised.

That's what the 7 figure salaries are for.

It’s funny to me how many progressive people I know and am friends with who work at these AI companies which are marginalized demographics (Trans, Gay, Latino, Black).

Still have faded Bernie stickers on their cars, No Kings organizers, “fuck SF I’m in the east bay for life fuck tech” - and you all make 7 figures Monday - Friday by supporting the death of society and democracy.

I don’t dare say anything though because “money is money”, the bay is expensive..but I do sure as shit judge every single person I know who joined OAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta.