“Google Quietly Erases ‘Diversity’ and ‘Equity’ from AI Ethics Team’s Mission — Critics Call It a Shift in Corporate Values”
Google has removed all references to “diversity,” “equity,” and “marginalized communities” from the public mission statement of its Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technology (RAI-HCT) team, which oversees research into AI fairness and safety. The changes, first flagged by watchdog group The Midas Project, replace terms like “underrepresented groups” with vague alternatives like “all” or “varied” — sparking concerns about the tech giant’s commitment to inclusive innovation.
This isn’t the first time Google has scrubbed such language. In February, the company eliminated diversity hiring targets and began dismantling DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs. The move aligns with a broader industry trend: under political pressure from the Trump Administration’s crackdown on DEI initiatives as “illegal,” tech giants like Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI have also rolled back equity-focused policies. Notably, Apple recently defied shareholder demands to abandon its DEI efforts, highlighting a growing divide in corporate strategies.
Critics argue the timing is telling. With lucrative federal contracts at stake, companies like Google appear to be distancing themselves from progressive language to avoid backlash. But what does this pivot say about who tech prioritizes? By erasing explicit commitments to marginalized communities, skeptics warn, corporations risk sidelining accountability in favor of political expediency.
“When words like ‘equity’ vanish from a team tasked with ethical AI, it sends a message,” said a former Google employee who requested anonymity. “Are we building technology for everyone — or just the privileged?” for more details visit TechCrunch.
