Google is doubling down on its move away from DEI goals.

As AFROTECH™ previously reported, a shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been occurring across the nation. This has been seen in the venture capital space, with funding for Black-owned businesses being challenged in court. At the federal level, when he took office President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle DEI-related “mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities” in the federal government, Business Insider notes.

These changes, combined with political and legal pressures, have driven major companies to rethink their DEI initiatives. Some big tech companies, such as Meta, Amazon, and Google, have retracted their DEI commitments.

“We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities, and over the last year, we’ve been reviewing our programs designed to help us get there,” a Google spokesperson told Business Insider in February 2025.

Google is doubling down on its stance. The company previously removed language related to DEI from its annual report. On March 5, Melonie Parker, Google’s former head of diversity, stated the company was “updating” programs having “DEI content,” per the Guardian. Google is expected to implement further changes, including the dismantling of diversity and inclusion employment training programs.

This aligns with an update shared by Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi in February.

In an email Q&A obtained by Business Insider, Cicconi said that Google staff will be “evaluating programs, trainings, and initiatives, and will update them as needed, including those that raise risk, or that aren’t as impactful as we’d hoped.”

Google has also stated it will no longer maintain its goalposts for diversity hiring. However, the company maintains a stance that Black billionaire Robert F. Smith mentioned during a fireside chat with Yahoo! Finance at the Economic Club of New York — companies will still be on the hunt for top talent, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.

“What’s not changing is we’ve always hired the best person for the job,” Parker stated.