Google Diversity Schemes Despite Huge Ambitions

Google Diversity Program Reduction

After nationwide protests over racial inequality, Google pledged to promote google diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2020. CNBC reports that many of such programs are being slashed significantly just a few years later.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced significant steps, such as raising the number of underrepresented groups in leadership roles and more than tripling the presence of Black people in non-senior positions by 2025, shortly after George Floyd’s murder and the emergence of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Google also sought to enhance recruitment, retention, and promotion procedures that affect minority groups.

However, because to funding constraints, Google reportedly abandoned a number of important google diversity initiatives in 2023, as CNBC has learnt.

Remarkably, Google has chosen not to accept applications for its Early Career Immersion program for underrepresented talent in software engineering for the upcoming year. Also, the business let go of certain employees who were behind this project.

Another instance involved participants complaining about their salary being less than that of other engineers performing similar work in Google’s Apprenticeship program. Apprentices stated that while only making half of what full-time software engineers made, they were making significant contributions to Google’s codebase.

Google’s Modified Advocacy for Diversity

Google also eliminated positions in partnership management and underrepresented minority recruitment. Additionally, the business cut back on educational initiatives meant to promote inclusivity.

According to sources, leaders of racial google diversity-focused employee resource groups were among those laid off by Google recently.

This retreat from google diversity pledges is consistent with a larger 2023 decrease in DEI&B investment in the technology industry. According to Indeed data, there have been 44% fewer job listings dedicated to google diversity this year than last. Tech behemoths like Meta have also made such reductions.

A Google representative said that the firm is still steadfastly committed to google diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives when questioned about the precise cuts. The representative did not refute information provided to CNBC.

However, analysts contend that this retreat occurs at a crucial moment, particularly in light of the development of AI. Artificial intelligence development runs the risk of escalating tech-related disparities for both workers and customers if diverse talent is excluded from the process.

NEW SOURCE