Goolge has updated its Responsible AI and Human Centred Technology (RAI-HCT) team webpage, quitely removing any reference to diversity or equity.

The RAI-HCT team is tasked with researching AI safety, bias, and explainability, and previously mentioned “marginalized communities,” “diverse,” “underrepresented groups,” and even “equity” on its webpage.

Now, these words have been scrubbed from the team’s page, though some phrases have been swapped for more vague laugnage, like “varied”.

The change was discoverd by The Midas Project – a nonprofit AI watchdog – and comes after similar changes to Google’s Startups Founders Fund grant website.

The changes follow Google’s announcement that it would scrap its diversity hiring initatives and review its DEI targets following the new US regime against these programmes.

“We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities,” a Google spokesperson said at the time.

“We’ve updated our [annual investor report] language to reflect this, and as a federal contractor our teams are also evaluating changes required following recent court decisions and executive orders on this topic.”

Amazon and Meta have followed suits, and OpenAI similarly removed mentions of diversity from its hiring practices page.

Date: Feb 26 – March 6, 2025
Company: @Google
Change: Scrubbed mentions of diversity and equity from the mission description of their Responsible AI team. pic.twitter.com/i9VvBcHMQ6

— The Midas Project Watchtower (@SafetyChanges) March 8, 2025

Apple has stood out from its peers, however, and has yet to scrap its DEI initiatives, despite pressure from shareholders.

Google also recently silently scrapped assurances that it would not let its AI capabilities and technlogy be used for weapons and surveillance, sparking debate on how far Google has swayed from his original mantra of ‘Do the Right Thing.”

Recommended reading

• Comment: The End of DEI in the US Cannot Follow Suit in the UK – Here’s Why
• Tech Giants Reconsider DEI Ahead of Trump Inauguration
• International Women’s Day: Another Day to Do the Right Thing

The continued push against DEI programmes is affecting global tech firms based in the UK, many of which have contracts with US federal agencies.

Google has yet to respond to The Midas Project Watchtower’s reveal.