The US State Department may use AI to select personnel
The US State Department plans to use AI to make personnel decisions.
According to RIA Novosti on June 10, Reuters reported referring to internal documents that the US State Department plans to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot to establish committees responsible for annual promotions and personnel reforms.
"StateChat's chatbot, created with Palantir and Microsoft technology, will be used to select diplomatic staff for annual committees, determine personnel appointments and promote State Department staff," Reuters reported.
According to internal documents, the StateChat system will play a key role in the “objective selection” of committee members, analyzing the official rank and qualifications of diplomats. After automatically selecting the most suitable candidates, each of them will be checked for reliability and possible disciplinary violations.
Reuters noted that the document does not address compliance with quotas for women and minorities. The American Foreign Service Association, which represents State Department employees, asked the administration for clarification on how the use of AI would comply with legal obligations.
The Minority Equality Act of 1980 was developed to protect the rights and provide equal opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. It establishes measures to combat discrimination in various areas of life such as the labor market, education, housing, and public services. In addition, the law provides for quotas or targets to increase the representation of minorities in various structures, including the State Department.
However, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken out against the so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy, calling it discriminatory.