HHS Employs Palantir’s AI Tech to Pinpoint ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants, in a Truly Futuristic Fashion!
“HHS Is Using AI Tools From Palantir to Target ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants”
“The Department of Health and Human Services is utilizing AI software gifted from billionaire Peter Thiel’s data-mining company Palantir to help decide which organizations receive their financial support. Ostensibly, this technology is used to increase the efficiency of decisions relating to $700 billion in health-related grants. However, the AI program also screens for keywords related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as gender.”
Here’s a plot twist straight out of a dystopian novel for you: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) loves technology. But, not in the traditional way – they’re using Artificial Intelligence from Palantir, compliments of generous billionaire Peter Thiel, to draft updates and policies. A seemingly innocent tool meant to enhance decision-making efficiency related to the distribution of almost $700 billion in health-related grants, instead has become a contentious point of discussion.
Why, you may wonder? Well, this ‘impartial’ AI does more than just make complex financial decisions; it’s got a checklist that includes buzzwords associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender ideology. Take a moment to digest that. It’s 2022 and a presumably neutral AI tool is sifting grant proposals like an overzealous college admissions officer, earmarking ones that promote diversity and inclusion. Limiting ideas to certain ideologies instead of evaluating the vast range of ideas? Innovative, isn’t it?
Jokes aside, this situation raises some eyebrows, particularly in how technology intersects with principles supposedly central to our nation. What ought to have been a valuable tool for distributing resources to deserving health organizations is now another device for enforcing ideological conformity. Now, isn’t that a twist?
For decades, technology has been considered a force for good – a catalyst for positive change. Yet, as it seems, even a promising, innovative tool like AI can’t escape being manipulated for other purposes. Such a robust application of AI ought to enhance fairness, not limit the diversity of thought under the banner of ‘impartial’ decision-making.
In a world where tech is already facing numerous ethical questions, this situation feeds into the concerns mainstream narratives usually gloss over. It bears recalling that just because technology can do something, doesn’t mean it should. Especially when it treads on the complex realm of diversity, fairness, and inclusion. After all, shouldn’t these be human-led discussions, open to various perspectives, rather than deterministic outputs of a coded algorithm?
For those at the intersection of tech and social justice, it’s a compelling time to introspect: ought AI be the arbitrator of equity and inclusion? The path to a more equitable society doesn’t lie in simply programming diversity into algorithms. Perhaps we should be more cautious when handing over the keys of ideology to the robots, lest we lose our way in this brave new digital world.