This move mirrors a broader decline in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) investment across the tech sector in 2023, with diversity-related job postings dropping 44% year-over-year. Experts warn that this retreat could perpetuate deeper inequities in tech, particularly with the rise of AI. Despite these cuts, Google maintains that it remains strongly dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Key takeaways:
- Google made commitments in 2020 to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, but many of these programs have seen significant cuts by 2023.
- Google decided against hiring a new cohort for its Early Career Immersion program for underrepresented software engineering talent and laid off some staff supporting this initiative.
- Participants in Google's Apprenticeships program raised concerns over lower pay compared to other engineers doing similar work.
- Experts argue that the retreat from diversity commitments comes at a critical juncture, especially with the rise of AI, as it risks perpetuating deeper inequities in tech for both employees and consumers.