Mirroring the bias: gender and artificial intelligence

Following COVID-19, there has been an increase in digitization and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all spheres of life, which presents both opportunities and challenges. This commentary will explore the landscape of the gendered impact of AI at the intersections of Science and Technology...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gender, technology and development technology and development, 2022-12, Vol.26 (3), p.295-305
Main Authors: Manasi, Ardra, Panchanadeswaran, Subadra, Sours, Emily, Lee, Seung Ju
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accountability
Algorithms
Artificial intelligence
Bias
COVID-19
Decision making
Digitization
Feminism
Gender
Gender equity
Gender inequality
Gender stereotypes
Mirroring
Robotics
Science and technology
Sex discrimination
Socialism
Stereotypes
Womens studies
Workforce
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Summary:Following COVID-19, there has been an increase in digitization and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all spheres of life, which presents both opportunities and challenges. This commentary will explore the landscape of the gendered impact of AI at the intersections of Science and Technology Studies, feminist studies (socialist feminism), and computing. The Global Dialogue on Gender Equality and Artificial Intelligence (2020) organized by UNESCO highlighted the inadequacy of AI normative instruments or principles which focus on gender equality as a "standalone" issue. Past research has underscored the gender biases within AI algorithms that reinforce gender stereotypes and potentially perpetuate gender inequities and discrimination against women. Gender biases in AI manifest either during the algorithm's development, the training of datasets, or via AI-generated decision-making. Further, structural and gender imbalances in the AI workforce and the gender divide in digital and STEM skills have direct implications for the design and implementation of AI applications. Using a feminist lens and the concept of affective labor, this commentary will highlight these issues through the lenses of AI in virtual assistants, and robotics and make recommendations for greater accountability within the public, private and nonprofit sectors and offer examples of positive applications of AI in challenging gender stereotypes.
ISSN:0971-8524
0973-0656
DOI:10.1080/09718524.2022.2128254