Google Exec Calls for Shared Responsibility in AI Regulation

James Manyika, Google's senior vice president overseeing research and technology, has called for shared responsibility in AI regulation. In an interview on October 2, 2026, Manyika emphasized that AI's risks are real and that regulation is necessary. He argued that companies building frontier AI models, including Google, have a responsibility for making them safe, but that responsibility should not fall solely on them.

Manyika also pushed back on the idea that industry should wait for government to set the rules first. He suggested that voluntary industry efforts should run in parallel with government regulations. This approach is reflected in a recent voluntary accord signed by major tech firms, including Google, OpenAI, and Nvidia, aimed at strengthening safety practices. However, the accord carries no legal enforcement mechanisms, which critics argue leaves accountability ultimately dependent on corporate goodwill and reputational pressure.

Manyika has been a vocal advocate for balanced, enabling frameworks that guard against real harms without choking off useful progress. He has pointed to sectors like health and infrastructure as areas where AI could deliver major benefits. With his role in the DeepMind Institute, Manyika has a unique perspective on the intersection of research and policy in AI.