> Research into self driving cars, on a closed platform, is a PR move.
Google has the largest contribution in advancing the state of the art in AI. That benefits humanity in many ways, SD cars being just one of them. They are also working on healthcare, robotics and reasoning agents. All these things will be a boon for humanity. Discoveries are discussed in the open.
Yes that's true, but that doesn't mean they're being performed with ulterior motives.
Whilst we can appreciate the benefits that have been brought forth, we shouldn't be blind to consequences both short and long term and potentially hidden.
A very blunt and hyperbolic analogy is giving infection ridden blankets to indigenous populations in the depths of winter.
That's altruism.
Research into self driving cars, on a closed platform, is a PR move.