In another worrying sign that Big Tech’s algorithms are slowly being weaponised for political purposes, Microsoft is updating its ‘inclusivity’ tool to “censor” the term “maternity leave” because it “may not be inclusive of all genders”.
Writers using the software are instead advised to type “birth-related leave”, “parental leave” or “childbirth leave” when referring to the time off work that a woman can take after childbirth.
They are also recommended to type “child-bonding leave” rather than “paternity leave” when describing the equivalent for new fathers.
Microsoft Word is making the recommendations as part of its “inclusivity” tool, which prompts authors to avoid using certain words and suggests more acceptable replacements. At present, users can opt in or out of the function.
If a word or term is deemed not inclusive enough, a dotted blue line will appear below it, and the writer will be presented with a list of alternative words that are approved by the software.
The software was launched in 2019. As well as advising people to steer clear of the term “biologically female”, it urges them to change phrases such as Postman Pat to “Postal Worker Pat”, as the former “may imply gender bias”.
It also recommends amending Mrs. to Ms., including changing “Mrs. Thatcher” to “Ms. Thatcher”.
In addition, users are invited to change the word “mankind” in Neil Armstrong’s famous phrase “one giant leap for mankind” to “humankind” or “humanity”.
However, fresh concerns about speech policing and the political weaponisation of algorithms have been raised following its recently updated recommendation against “maternity leave”.
Speaking to the Telegraph, FSU General Secretary Toby Young said: “This is a particularly insidious form of language policing, reminiscent of Nineteen Eighty-Four. It’s as though there’s a censor in your computer scolding you for departing from politically correct orthodoxy.”
The inclusivity function also came under fire from Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X in December 2023. He posted a photo on X showing the word “insane” had been flagged, and wrote: “Microsoft Word now scolds you if you use words that aren’t ‘inclusive’”.
Google rolled out a similar inclusivity function in 2022, which tells software users that the word ‘landlord’ “may not be inclusive to all readers” and encourages them to replace it with “property owner” or “proprietor”.
Gender specific terms such as ‘policemen’ or ‘housewife’ should also be replaced by ‘police officers’ and ‘stay-at-home spouse’, according to the Google Document style programme.
In December 2023, OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4 image generator service was tasked with creating a series of images about Democratic and Republican voters.
When asked to explain the Democratic images and their underlying details, ChatGPT said that the scene is set in a “bustling urban environment [that] symbolizes progress and innovation . . . cities are often seen as hubs of cultural diversity and technological advancement, aligning with the Democratic Party’s focus on forward-thinking policies and modernization.” According to Chat GPT, the image “features a diverse group of individuals of various ages, ethnicities, and genders. This diversity represents inclusivity and unity, key values of the Democratic Party,” along with the themes of “social justice, civil rights, and addressing climate change.”
The GOP, on the other hand – and notwithstanding its gains among minority voters and large suburban base – was depicted by Chat GPT as a retrograde party representative of rural backwaters. By way of explanation, ChatGPT states that “the serene rural setting represents traditional values and a connection to the land… associated with the Republican Party’s emphasis on rural communities and agricultural interests, highlighting a respect for tradition and simplicity,” and notes the “stereotype that the party only represents a specific segment of the population”.
