Google and Pentagon in talks to run custom AI chips inside classified environments — Google pushes for tight controls for TPUs surrounding use for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons

Google is in discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense to potentially deploy custom AI chips, including Google's tensor processing unit (TPU), in classified environments. The talks involve adding GPU racks to Google Distributed Cloud and enabling TPUs inside accredited classified settings for the first time. Google is advocating for strict controls around the use of TPUs to prevent mass surveillance and autonomous weapons without human oversight. This potential contract with the Pentagon aligns with Google's efforts to expand its presence in the defense sector, following recent AI pilot contracts and initiatives.