OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research organization, has quietly removed a webpage dedicated to its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from its website. The URL, which previously housed the company's statement on its ongoing investment in DEI, now redirects to a new page titled "Building Dynamic Teams."

The original page, archived by the Internet Web Archive and cited in a 2023 CNN article, stated that OpenAI was "serious about this work and committed to continuously improving our work in creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization." However, the new page makes no mention of DEI, instead emphasizing the importance of "people with different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking" in fostering innovation.

The exact timing of the change is unclear, but evidence suggests it occurred recently. An ABC News story published on January 22 cited the diversity commitment webpage as available, while OpenAI published the new "building dynamic teams" webpage by January 27. OpenAI has not responded to requests for comment on the website change or whether it indicates any alterations to the company's internal processes.

Notably, OpenAI's webpage on "fairness" in model training, which aims to remove social biases, remains live. This raises questions about the company's continued commitment to promoting fairness and equity in its AI development.

OpenAI is not alone in distancing itself from DEI language. In recent weeks, Meta, Google, and Amazon have all announced changes to their DEI policies, with the latter two removing mentions of diversity and inclusion from their recent 10-K forms. This shift may be attributed to the growing political and legal backlash against DEI initiatives, as exemplified by Attorney General Pam Bondi's instruction to the Department of Justice to "investigate, eliminate, and penalize" DEI programs deemed illegal in private sector companies receiving federal funds.

OpenAI's decision to remove its DEI page takes on added significance given its collaborations with the government. The company has secured a government contract and launched a chatbot for government agencies, raising concerns about the potential impact of its shift in language on its work with public sector entities.

The removal of OpenAI's DEI page has sparked concerns about the company's commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the AI industry. As the tech sector continues to grapple with the complexities of DEI, OpenAI's decision serves as a bellwether for the industry's willingness to prioritize these values in the face of political and legal pressure.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how OpenAI's shift in language will influence its internal practices and external partnerships. One thing is clear, however: the removal of the DEI page has significant implications for the industry's ongoing efforts to promote fairness, equity, and inclusion in AI development.