Since March 2025, a significant and noteworthy shift has been underway within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding its grant review process. Newsera has learned that HHS has begun implementing advanced artificial intelligence tools from prominent companies like Palantir, alongside the innovative startup Credal AI. The explicit purpose of these new systems? To meticulously scrutinize grant applications for what is perceived as alignment with “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) principles and “gender ideology.”
This development marks a pivotal moment in how government agencies are leveraging cutting-edge technology to influence policy and funding allocations. The integration of AI in such a sensitive area immediately raises important questions about fairness, the potential for algorithmic bias, and the precise criteria used to define and flag specific ideologies within grant proposals. Grant applicants, particularly those focused on areas historically aligned with DEI initiatives, gender studies, or related social justice frameworks, may find themselves navigating a profoundly new landscape where AI algorithms play a central, potentially decisive role in determining their eligibility for crucial funding.
At Newsera, we understand the complexities and far-reaching implications of this evolving scenario. While the use of AI tools often promises enhanced efficiency, speed, and consistency in reviewing vast numbers of applications, it also introduces a powerful layer of automated decision-making that warrants close and continuous examination. As these sophisticated systems become more deeply embedded in governmental functions, their impact on critical research, public health programs, and various social initiatives could be truly profound and reshape funding priorities for years to come.
Stakeholders across academic, non-profit, and public health sectors are now watching closely to understand the precise long-term implications of HHS’s reliance on AI to shape the future of health and human services funding. This specific shift underscores a broader, accelerating trend of AI integration into governmental functions worldwide, prompting urgent discussions about transparency, ethical considerations, and accountability in algorithm-driven governance. Newsera remains committed to bringing you the latest updates on how AI is transforming public policy and administration.
