Google has updated the page for its Responsible AI team, which focuses on the safety, integrity, and understandability of artificial intelligence. According to TechCrunch, the company has removed references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Previously, the page included terms like “marginalized communities,” “diverse,” “underrepresented groups,” and “equality.” These have now been replaced with broader terms such as “all,” “different,” and “numerous.” The change was first noticed by The Midas Project, an organization that tracks such updates. A similar revision recently occurred on Google’s Startups Founders Fund grant program page.
Tech Companies Scale Back DEI Initiatives
Google’s shift is part of a broader trend in the tech industry. In February, the company announced it would eliminate diversity hiring goals and reevaluate its DEI programs. Other major companies, including Amazon and Meta, have also scaled back their DEI initiatives in recent months. OpenAI has removed references to diversity and inclusion from its hiring page as well, reminds NIX Solutions.
Policy and Government Contracts Influence Changes
These changes align with a policy from the Trump administration that classifies certain DEI practices as “illegal,” arguing they shift discrimination from one group to another. Many tech companies, including Google, hold contracts with U.S. government agencies, which may be influencing these adjustments.
The evolving stance of tech giants on DEI initiatives continues to be a point of discussion. We’ll keep you updated as more developments emerge.