DOGE Bro's Grant Review Process Was Literally Just Asking ChatGPT 'Is This DEI?'
techdirt.com
February 19, 2026
8 min read
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57/100
Summary
Federal grants were terminated by inexperienced individuals based on ChatGPT's assessment of their relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in under 120 characters. This practice has been criticized as "arbitrary and capricious" in a proposed amended complaint from the Authors Guild against the US government.
Key Takeaways
- The DOGE bros terminated federal grants based on ChatGPT's assessment of whether they related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
- Nate Cavanaugh and Justin Fox used a simplistic prompt to query ChatGPT, without understanding its interpretation of DEI.
- Staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities were blocked from contesting the termination of grants identified by the DOGE bros.
- Cavanaugh and Fox, lacking relevant experience, were involved in significant government roles affecting multiple agencies.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The use of AI in grant reviews could streamline the process, making it simpler, cheaper, and faster, which is beneficial for resource allocation.
Concerns
- Relying on AI to determine funding based on DEI criteria raises concerns about the model's understanding of complex social issues, which may lead to inappropriate funding decisions.
- There is skepticism about AI's ability to accurately interpret nuanced concepts like DEI, suggesting that it may not be a reliable tool for critical funding decisions.
