Google removes diversity language to please Trump administration


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In a significant move, Google has made notable alterations to the webpage dedicated to its Responsible AI and Human Centered Technology (RAI-HCT) team, removing language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This change is seen as a gesture of reconciliation from the tech giant towards the Trump administration.

TechCrunch reports that Google has revamped the mission statement of the RAI-HCT team, which conducts research into crucial areas such as AI safety and fairness. The previous version of the webpage featured terms like “marginalized communities,” “diverse,” “underrepresented groups,” and “equity” to describe the team’s work and objectives. However, the updated page has either eliminated these terms or replaced them with more generalized wording, such as “all,” “varied,” and “numerous.”

The Midas Project, a watchdog group monitoring corporate policy shifts, was the first to spot these changes. According to their findings, the RAI-HCT webpage previously used language emphasizing diversity, equity, and related concepts, but the updated version has adopted a more neutral tone.

This is not an isolated incident, as Google has been scaling back its DEI initiatives in recent months. In early February, the company announced the elimination of its diversity hiring targets and a review of its DEI programs. Furthermore, Google removed similar language from its Startups Founders Fund grant website.

Google is not the only tech giant to roll back DEI measures in response to pressure from the Trump Administration, which has labeled such practices as “illegal.” Amazon and Meta have both walked back their DEI initiatives over the past few months, while OpenAI recently removed mentions of diversity and inclusion from a webpage detailing its hiring practices. “In contrast, Apple has pushed back against a shareholder proposal to end its DEI programs.”

Many of the companies scaling back their DEI efforts, including Google, have contracts with federal agencies, which may be a factor in their decision-making process.

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