Report: US Universities Continue DEI via AI Tools

Defending Education released a report on August 25 alleging that several US universities, despite public retreats from DEI, continue promoting identity-based ideologies through AI research projects. The report names MIT, UC Berkeley, Columbia University, Virginia State University, and Morgan State University. It claims these projects embed DEI into AI tools, potentially affecting future school adoption. Schools have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The report reveals that US universities may continue DEI practices through AI tools, influencing the value orientation of AI in future education. If DEI is institutionalized in AI, it will be difficult to reverse and may shape students' ideologies. Direct impacts include teachers using AI for lesson planning and grading potentially influenced by DEI, and students encountering specific values when using AI for learning. However, the report comes from an advocacy group and lacks independent verification, so caution is needed. Teachers using AI tools for lesson planning may be influenced by DEI, altering teaching content. Students using AI for learning may encounter specific ideologies, affecting value formation.