Peter Thiel Warns Google Sharing A.I. with China is Bad News for America

Billionaire Peter Thiel Raises Concerns Over Google’s Relationship with China

In a recent op-ed published in The New York Times, Peter Thiel, the billionaire founder of PayPal and Facebook board member, expressed his concerns over Google sharing its DeepMind artificial intelligence with China. Thiel warned that this move could have negative implications for America, especially in terms of national security.

Thiel highlighted the potential military applications of A.I. tools, stating that generals would likely be the first users of such technology. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an intelligence advantage and the ability to penetrate defenses in the realm of cyberwarfare.

DeepMind, which Thiel referred to as the “crown jewel” of Google’s A.I. efforts, was acquired by the tech giant in 2014. Three years later, Google opened an A.I. lab in Beijing, coinciding with China’s law requiring all research conducted in the country to be shared with the People’s Liberation Army.

The timing of Google’s actions, including ending its Project Maven drone project with the U.S. Department of Defense amid employee backlash, raised red flags for Thiel. He criticized Google for prioritizing its relationship with China over its commitments to the United States.

Thiel’s concerns have caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who has pledged to have the Department of Justice investigate the matter. Trump referred to Thiel as a friend and expressed interest in looking into the allegations of Google’s involvement with China.

Thiel’s accusations have sparked a larger conversation about the implications of tech companies collaborating with foreign entities, particularly those with potential ties to national security threats. As the debate continues, the future of Google’s relationship with China and its impact on American interests remains uncertain.