IBM has made significant changes to its diversity initiatives in response to increasing conservative criticism and changing perceptions of DEI, which have intensified under President Donald Trump's administration.

One major adjustment involves revising how executive compensation is linked to diversity goals. In addition, the focus of the supplier diversity program has shifted from prioritizing race and gender among contractors to encompassing all small businesses and companies led by veterans. IBM communicated these changes to its employees in a recent memo, acknowledging the complexities of promoting inclusion amid evolving legal considerations and societal attitudes.

IBM's CEO, Arvind Krishna, addressed these modifications in a video update to employees, aligning the company's stance with a trend among several prominent US corporations, including Amazon and Walmart, to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This shift comes in response to pressure from activists and executive orders issued by Trump, who has targeted what he labels as "illegal" DEI practices within the federal government and its contractors.

One vocal opponent of DEI practices, Robby Starbuck, engaged with IBM earlier this year to challenge its diversity policies, prompting the company to reconsider its approach. As a result, IBM has disbanded its diversity council and emphasized a talent strategy based on meritocracy, prioritizing individuals' skills and qualifications rather than their demographic characteristics.

Ultimately, IBM aims to ensure that its workforce comprises the most competent and diverse talent to effectively serve its clients, irrespective of their race, color, or creed.