U.S. Government Efficiency Department Cancels National Endowment for the Humanities Funding Using ChatGPT
The U.S. Government Efficiency Department used AI tool ChatGPT to evaluate the alignment of grants with diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, leading to the cancellation of funding at the National Endowment for the Humanities. Nearly 1,500 grants, mostly awarded during President Joe Biden’s administration, were affected by this decision.
Officials asked ChatGPT to objectively determine whether projects related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, specifying responses start with “Yes” or “No” and stay within 120 characters. A list of 1,477 “problematic” grants was submitted to the fund’s chairman. Following cancellations, over $100 million was restored to the fund’s budget.
This case highlights how artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into governmental decision-making, raising questions about the future impact of AI in policy and budgetary processes.
