Concerns arise within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as Google's AI assistant, Gemini, is found to be active in their workflows and potentially recording conversations. The default activation of Gemini, coupled with its ability to take meeting notes during Google Meet calls, has sparked anxieties among employees who fear their candid discussions may be captured.
The United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ) found itself in a peculiar predicament, facing scrutiny not only from Elon Musk and his team but also from an unexpected source: Google 's AI assistant, Gemini . USAID , like numerous businesses and government agencies, relies heavily on Google Workspace, a suite of cloud-based applications encompassing Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and other essential tools.
When Google announced an update to Workspace in January, expanding access to Gemini, USAID staffers were alerted to the potential for their conversations to be recorded. Gemini, Google's flagship AI tool, boasts capabilities such as drafting emails, assisting with coding projects, and answering questions. Notably, it can also take meeting notes during Google Meet calls, implying that it actively listens in on conversations. The concerning aspect is that Gemini is enabled by default, requiring users to opt out explicitly. The revelation about Gemini's active presence in their Workspace triggered anxieties among USAID employees. Verbal warnings were issued, highlighting the possibility of conversations, ranging from staff meetings to human resource reports, being recorded. The agency's internal culture reportedly underwent a shift, with employees adopting a more formal and restrained tone during calls, hesitant to engage in candid discussions. A sense of paranoia permeated the office, fueled by concerns that the introduction of Gemini coincided with the Trump administration's scrutiny of the agency.While a Google representative refuted any connection between the installation of Gemini and the Trump administration's directives, the reassurance likely offered little comfort to employees already grappling with heightened scrutiny from Musk's team. Faced with the prospect of both their words and actions being potentially recorded by an AI assistant, USAID staffers found themselves navigating a complex landscape of technological advancements and burgeoning privacy concerns
Privacy Government AI Google Gemini USAID Privacy Concerns Government Surveillance Elon Musk
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