A federal lawsuit alleges that a government initiative created by the Trump administration relied on the generative AI software ChatGPT to help identify grants tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The lawsuit alleges that a grant awarded to the High Point Museum in North Carolina to replace its HVAC system was flagged as related to DEI and subsequently canceled.
In a deposition included in the lawsuit, DOGE staffer Justin Fox said employees used ChatGPT to analyze grant descriptions and determine whether they related to DEI programs. Staff recorded the chatbot’s responses, along with its explanations, in a spreadsheet that helped guide decisions about which grants to cancel.
According to the American Historical Association, the spreadsheet ultimately replaced a list previously compiled by NEH staff to identify grants targeted for cuts.
One entry examined the High Point Museum’s request for funds to upgrade its HVAC system. The museum argued that improved climate control would help preserve objects in its collection and expand access to them over time.
After reviewing the description, ChatGPT responded that the project did relate to DEI, because improved preservation conditions would support “greater access to diverse audiences.”
In a deposition included in the lawsuit, DOGE staffer Justin Fox said employees used ChatGPT to analyze grant descriptions and determine whether they related to DEI programs. Staff recorded the chatbot’s responses, along with its explanations, in a spreadsheet that helped guide decisions about which grants to cancel.
According to the American Historical Association, the spreadsheet ultimately replaced a list previously compiled by NEH staff to identify grants targeted for cuts.
One entry examined the High Point Museum’s request for funds to upgrade its HVAC system. The museum argued that improved climate control would help preserve objects in its collection and expand access to them over time.
After reviewing the description, ChatGPT responded that the project did relate to DEI, because improved preservation conditions would support “greater access to diverse audiences.”
The museum’s director, Edith Brady, said the institution had already begun work before the grant was terminated, though it recovered roughly 70 percent of the award through a termination clause.
Lambert here: The stupid! It b-u-r-r-r-r-n-n-n-s-s-s!
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