Simon Willison's WeblogJun 4, 2026, 4:38 PM

Google Requested a Slightly Different AI Statement

Original: Quoting Emanuel Maiberg, 404 Media

Google asked 404 Media to update a statement, removing language about keeping humans in the loop.

Simon Willison quotes Emanuel Maiberg of 404 Media about a post-publication request from Google. After the story ran, Google asked the outlet to publish a slightly different version of its statement. The notable change: the revised statement no longer said it was critical to maintain humans in the loop, raising questions about corporate AI accountability language.

This short piece by Simon Willison cites a statement by 404 Media reporter Emanuel Maiberg, focusing on Google's subsequent request to modify an official statement in a report. According to the quote, after 404 Media published the relevant report, a Google spokesperson proactively reached out to the outlet, hoping it would publish a "slightly different" version of the statement. Notably, the new version of the statement removed a sentence that had originally mentioned that "maintaining a human in the loop is critical."

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