Washington, June 10 – The United States Department of State is reportedly preparing to launch an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to assist in forming commissions responsible for employee promotions and personnel changes, as per agency report. The internal initiative, revealed through media sources citing confidential documents, involves a corporate chatbot named "StateChat," developed using technologies by Palantir and its affiliates.
The chatbot is designed to aid in the selection of certification panel members who evaluate and decide on promotions and appointments for diplomatic staff. The AI system is expected to analyze officials' qualifications and service rankings to ensure what is described as a "fair selection process." It will also screen selected candidates for reliability and disciplinary records.
However, concerns have emerged over the lack of clarity on how the system will address legal obligations related to minority representation. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), which represents State Department employees, has urged leadership to clarify how the AI implementation will align with existing legal requirements.
Notably, the 1980 Minority Equality Act was enacted to protect the rights of ethnic and racial minorities in the United States and ensure equal opportunities across various sectors. The law also provides for the inclusion of quotas or participation targets for minorities in federal institutions, including the State Department.
Amid this development, former US President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies—often labeling them as discriminatory—adds further political complexity to the conversation. Questions remain about whether the chatbot can uphold transparency and fairness while complying with long-standing diversity and inclusion mandates.
