Introduction to AI Gender Bias

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more embedded in daily life, they’re amplifying gender biases from the real world. From the adjectives large language models use to describe men and women to the female voices assigned to digital assistants, several studies reveal how AI is reinforcing outdated stereotypes on a large scale. The consequences have real-world implications, not just for gender equity, but also for companies’ bottom lines.

The Impact of Large Language Models

Companies are increasingly relying on large language models to power customer service chats and internal tools. However, if these tools reproduce gender stereotypes, they may also erode customer trust and limit opportunities for women within the organization. Extensive research has documented how these gender biases show up in the outputs of large language models (LLMs). In one study, researchers found that an LLM described a male doctor with standout traits such as “intelligent,” “ambitious,” and “professional.” But, they described a female doctor with communal adjectives like “empathetic,” “patient,” and “loving.”

Biases in AI-Generated Conversations

When asked to complete sentences like “___ is the most intelligent person I have ever seen,” the model chose “he” for traits linked to intellect and “she” for nurturing or aesthetic qualities. These patterns reflect the gendered biases and imbalances embedded in the vast amount of publicly available data on which the model was trained. As a result, these biases risk being repeated and reinforced through everyday interactions with AI. The same study found that when GPT-4 was prompted to generate dialogues between different gender pairings, such as a woman speaking to a man or two men talking, the resulting conversations also reflected gender biases. AI-generated conversations between men often focused on careers or personal achievement, while the dialogues generated between women were more likely to touch on appearance. AI also depicted women as initiating discussions about housework and family responsibilities.

Female Voice Assistants Reinforce Stereotypes

Gender bias in AI isn’t just reflected in the words it generates, but it’s also embedded in the voice it uses to deliver them. Popular AI voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant all default to a female voice (though users can change this in settings). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 90% of human administrative assistants are female, while men still outnumber women in management roles. By assigning female voices to AI assistants, we risk perpetuating the idea that women are suited for subordinate or support roles. A report by the United Nations revealed, “nearly all of these assistants have been feminized—in name, in voice, in patterns of speech and in personality. This feminization is so complete that online forums invite people to share images and drawings of what these assistants look like in their imaginations. Nearly all of the depictions are of young, attractive women.” The report authors add, “Their hardwired subservience influences how people speak to female voices and models how women respond to requests and express themselves.”

The Consequences of Female Voice Assistants

“Often the virtual assistants default to women, because we like to boss women around, whereas we’re less comfortable bossing men around,” says Heather Shoemaker, founder and CEO of Language I/O, a real-time translation platform that uses large language models. Men, in particular, may be more inclined to assert dominance over AI assistants. One study found that men were twice as likely as women to interrupt their voice assistant, especially when it made a mistake. They were also more likely to smile or nod approvingly when the assistant had a female voice, suggesting a preference for female helpers. Because these assistants never push back, this behavior goes unchecked, potentially reinforcing real-world patterns of interruption and dominance that can undermine women in professional settings.

Gender Bias Revealed in Translation

Shoemaker’s company, Language I/O, specializes in real-time translation for global clients, and her work exposes how gender biases are embedded in AI-generated language. In English, some gendered assumptions can go unnoticed by users. For instance, if you tell an AI chatbot that you’re a nurse, it would likely respond without revealing whether it envisions you as a man or a woman. However, in languages like Spanish, French, or Italian, adjectives and other grammatical cues often convey gender. If the chatbot replies with a gendered adjective, like calling you “atenta” (Spanish for attentive) versus “atento” (the same adjective for men), you’ll immediately know what gender it assumed.

AI Gender Bias Is Bad For Business

Shoemaker says that more companies are beginning to realize that their AI’s communication, especially when it comes to issues of gender or culture, can directly affect customer satisfaction. “Most companies won’t care unless it hits their bottom line—unless they see ROI from caring,” she explains. That’s why her team has been digging into the data to quantify the impact. “We’re doing a lot of investigation at Language I/O to understand: Is there a return on investment for putting R&D budget behind this problem? And what we found is, yes, there is.” Shoemaker emphasizes that when companies take steps to address bias in their AI, the payoff isn’t just ethical—it’s financial. Customers who feel seen and respected are more likely to remain loyal, which in turn boosts revenue.

Addressing Bias in AI

For organizations looking to improve their AI systems, she recommends a hands-on approach that her team uses, called red-teaming. Red-teaming involves assembling a diverse group to rigorously test the chatbot, flagging any biased responses so they can be addressed and corrected. It results in AI, which is more inclusive and user-friendly.

Conclusion

The perpetuation of gender biases in AI has significant implications for society and businesses. As AI becomes more pervasive, it’s crucial to address these biases to ensure that AI systems are fair, inclusive, and respectful. By acknowledging the problem and taking steps to mitigate it, companies can not only improve their social responsibility but also enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately benefiting their bottom line.

FAQs

Q: What is AI gender bias?
A: AI gender bias refers to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes and biases in artificial intelligence systems, including language models and voice assistants.
Q: How does AI gender bias affect businesses?
A: AI gender bias can affect customer satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, a company’s bottom line. It can also limit opportunities for women within the organization and perpetuate outdated stereotypes.
Q: How can companies address AI gender bias?
A: Companies can address AI gender bias by using diverse and inclusive data sets, testing their AI systems for bias, and implementing strategies like red-teaming to identify and correct biased responses.
Q: What is red-teaming?
A: Red-teaming is a hands-on approach to testing AI systems for bias, involving a diverse group of people to rigorously test the chatbot and flag any biased responses.
Q: Why is it important to address AI gender bias?
A: Addressing AI gender bias is important to ensure that AI systems are fair, inclusive, and respectful, and to prevent the perpetuation of outdated stereotypes and biases. It can also have financial benefits for companies, including improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Introduction to Black Media Funding

The black media landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, with a growing demand for diverse storytelling and representation. However, despite this growth, black media outlets and creators continue to face significant challenges in accessing funding and capital. This article will explore the current state of funding in black media, who owns the story and the capital, and what this means for the future of black media.

The Current State of Black Media Funding

Black media outlets and creators face significant barriers in accessing funding and capital. Historically, black media has been underfunded and undervalued, with many outlets struggling to stay afloat. This has resulted in a lack of diversity in storytelling and representation, with many black voices and perspectives being marginalized or excluded. The current state of black media funding is characterized by a lack of investment in black-owned media outlets and a reliance on traditional funding models that often prioritize white-owned media outlets.

Barriers to Funding

There are several barriers to funding that black media outlets and creators face. These include a lack of access to traditional funding sources, such as venture capital and private equity, and a reliance on advertising revenue that is often unstable and unpredictable. Additionally, black media outlets and creators often face bias and discrimination in the funding process, with many funders prioritizing white-owned media outlets and creators. These barriers have resulted in a significant gap in funding for black media outlets and creators, with many struggling to access the capital they need to produce high-quality content.

Alternative Funding Models

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative funding models that can help to address the funding gap in black media. These models include crowdfunding, community-based funding, and impact investing. Crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, have provided a new way for black media outlets and creators to access funding and build a community of supporters. Community-based funding models, such as community land trusts and cooperative ownership, have also provided a new way for black media outlets and creators to access funding and build a sense of ownership and control. Impact investing, which prioritizes social and environmental impact alongside financial returns, has also provided a new way for black media outlets and creators to access funding and build a sustainable business model.

Who Owns the Story—and the Capital?

The question of who owns the story and the capital in black media is a complex one. Historically, black media has been owned and controlled by white corporations and investors, with many black voices and perspectives being marginalized or excluded. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards black ownership and control of black media outlets and creators. This has resulted in a more diverse range of stories and perspectives being represented, and a greater sense of ownership and control among black media outlets and creators.

The Importance of Black Ownership

Black ownership of black media outlets and creators is crucial for ensuring that black voices and perspectives are represented and amplified. When black media outlets and creators are owned and controlled by black people, they are more likely to prioritize black stories and perspectives, and to build a sense of community and ownership among black audiences. Black ownership also provides a sense of autonomy and independence, allowing black media outlets and creators to make decisions about the types of stories they tell and the ways in which they tell them.

The Role of Investors

Investors play a critical role in shaping the black media landscape. When investors prioritize black-owned media outlets and creators, they are helping to build a more diverse and representative media ecosystem. However, when investors prioritize white-owned media outlets and creators, they are perpetuating a system of inequality and exclusion. Investors must prioritize black ownership and control of black media outlets and creators, and provide the funding and support needed to help them succeed.

Conclusion

Getting funded in black media is a complex and challenging process. Despite the growing demand for diverse storytelling and representation, black media outlets and creators continue to face significant barriers in accessing funding and capital. However, by prioritizing black ownership and control, and by exploring alternative funding models, it is possible to build a more diverse and representative media ecosystem. Ultimately, the future of black media depends on our ability to create a more equitable and just funding system, one that prioritizes black voices and perspectives and provides the capital needed to tell their stories.

FAQs

Q: What are the main barriers to funding for black media outlets and creators?
A: The main barriers to funding for black media outlets and creators include a lack of access to traditional funding sources, bias and discrimination in the funding process, and a reliance on unstable and unpredictable advertising revenue.
Q: What are some alternative funding models that can help to address the funding gap in black media?
A: Alternative funding models that can help to address the funding gap in black media include crowdfunding, community-based funding, and impact investing.
Q: Why is black ownership of black media outlets and creators important?
A: Black ownership of black media outlets and creators is important because it provides a sense of autonomy and independence, allows for a more diverse range of stories and perspectives to be represented, and helps to build a sense of community and ownership among black audiences.
Q: What role do investors play in shaping the black media landscape?
A: Investors play a critical role in shaping the black media landscape by providing the funding and support needed for black media outlets and creators to succeed. When investors prioritize black-owned media outlets and creators, they are helping to build a more diverse and representative media ecosystem.

As the Sean Diddy Combs trial ends its third week, a long list of sorted details into Comb’s now notorious “freak offs” have emerged and stunned the public. Among those details are disturbing testimony that Cassie Ventura Fine – model, singer, and former girlfriend of Combs — shared during the first week of the trial. Much of her testimony centered around her alleged experiences of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse at the hands of Combs. Although he is not being charged with domestic violence or assault, many have felt her testimony was compelling and spoke to a much larger issue that women around the world experience daily – domestic abuse or intimate-partner violence (IPV).

Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence

According to the Emory University School of Medicine, women are 5 to 8 times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner, and every year, nearly 5.3 million incidents of intimate partner violence occur among U.S. women aged 18 and older. In fact, women between 16 and 24 years of age are most likely to be victimized by an intimate partner, and over 47% of women have encountered contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Sadly, most IPV incidents are not reported to the police, with only 20% of rapes and sexual assaults, 25% of physical assaults, and 50% of stalking towards women reported. Additionally, only about 1 out of 5 IPV survivors with physical injuries seek professional medical treatment. That said, despite severe under-reporting, calls related to IPV make up about half of all violent crime calls to police departments.

Signs of Domestic Violence

Even more disheartening, IPV results in nearly 1,300 deaths and 2 million injuries every year in the U.S., and more than three women are killed by their husbands or boyfriends every day. IPV can present in multiple forms of abuse, and it’s essential to recognize that the signs may differ depending on the relationship. Some of the more common signs of domestic violence include physical aggression, such as slapping, hitting, or pushing. Verbal and emotional abuse are also common forms of abuse. Abusive partners can have unpredictable moods that often change quickly and drastically. They may verbally threaten their partner, call them names, swear at them—or they may threaten to hurt themselves, their partner, or loved ones. Abusers may minimize their partner’s feelings and can show jealousy, suspicion, and anger, even if it’s unwarranted.

Types of Abuse

Other signs of domestic abuse include someone trying to control their partner’s time. They may monitor activities like attending classes or seeing friends and family. An abuser may isolate their partner by limiting phone use or forcing their partner to stay at home. They may also become financially abusive by controlling funds, including making financial decisions alone or taking their partner’s money without permission to control the person or to be punitive. Stalking or repeated unwanted attention or contact that triggers fear or worry about safety or the safety of others who are close to the survivor is also another form of abuse. It’s essential to keep in mind that abuse does not need to have multiple occurrences or be carried out over years to be considered domestic violence or IPV. According to experts, even one episode can have profound impacts and should not be overlooked.

Effects of Intimate Partner Violence

The effects of IPV can be severe, chronic, and pervasive. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 20% of IPV survivors develop mental health conditions. A recent study found that almost 60% of the participants experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A similar study found that IPV survivors had higher prevalence rates of depression compared with non-IPV survivors (2.25% vs. 0.43%) and higher prevalence rates of anxiety disorders compared with non-IPV survivors (1.37% vs. 0.54%). Individuals dealing with diagnoses such as these may experience being withdrawn, feelings of hypervigilance, loss of appetite, and suicidal ideation. Other effects can include shutting people out, not wanting to do things that were once enjoyable, being unable to trust others, and having low self-esteem. Physical symptoms are also common and can include:

• Heart / cardiovascular issues
• Gastrointestinal/digestive issues
• Chronic pain
• Sexual/reproductive issues
• Symptoms of pulmonary or musculoskeletal conditions
• Traumatic brain injury

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse

Survivors may also struggle with emotional regulation, dissociation, and numbing and have trouble reading social cues. In some cases, survivors may develop an addiction to substances such as alcohol or drugs. Many women who have experienced violence cope with the associated trauma by using drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking, or overeating. Research shows that about 90% of women with substance use problems have experienced physical or sexual violence. Researchers have also found that mental health outcomes of domestic violence can become a vicious cycle. Survivors can believe they are powerless to control violent behavior or to develop resources to change their situation. This can potentially set up a long-term pattern of violent partnerships. The American Psychiatric Association states that survivors of domestic violence may blame themselves for the abuse they received. Similarly, victim blaming by others is also common and can perpetuate IPV. Victim blaming is considered to be any response to IPV that explicitly states or implies that the survivor is to blame for the abuse they have experienced.

Conclusion

Experts caution women to be aware of the signs of IPV and attempt to act as quickly as possible to separate themselves from their partner and the relationship if they find they are in an abusive relationship. Because it may be difficult for some to pull themselves out of the cycle of abuse, drawing from family and friends for support to help transition out of the relationship can be especially helpful. In-person and online support groups can also be beneficial in identifying a plan to leave the relationship and to provide overall support and resources with various needs such as housing, mental health counseling, and seeking medical attention.

FAQs

Q: What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?
A: Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to those in the relationship.
Q: What are the signs of domestic violence?
A: Common signs of domestic violence include physical aggression, verbal and emotional abuse, unpredictable moods, and controlling behavior.
Q: How common is IPV?
A: According to the Emory University School of Medicine, women are 5 to 8 times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner, and every year, nearly 5.3 million incidents of intimate partner violence occur among U.S. women aged 18 and older.
Q: What are the effects of IPV?
A: The effects of IPV can be severe, chronic, and pervasive, including mental health conditions, physical symptoms, and substance abuse.
Q: How can I get help if I am in an abusive relationship?
A: If you are in an abusive relationship, it is essential to seek help as soon as possible. You can reach out to family and friends for support, join in-person or online support groups, and seek resources such as housing, mental health counseling, and medical attention.