Exploring Gender Bias in AI Images

Source:

Medium
on
January 5, 2024
Curated on

January 11, 2024

Generative AI has taken the tech world by storm, promising the ability to conjure images from mere words. Midjourney, a prominent name in generative AI, has been widely used for creating visual content. However, Caroline Arnold’s inspection into Midjourney's algorithm uncovers a concerning trend: the AI seems to omit female characters unless specifically directed to include them. This observation prompted Arnold to further scrutinize the representation of professional women in AI-generated imagery. Using 28 varied job titles and official US government statistics on gender distribution in these roles, Arnold tasked the AI with generating images that could reflect real-world gender diversity in the workforce—without explicitly mentioning gender in the prompts. Arnold's methodology involved using GPT-3.5 for prompt generation and Midjourney for image creation, resulting in 40 images per profession. The analysis targeted whether Midjourney could mirror the actual female representation in various fields. However, the results were mixed. Some AI-generated grids included no human figures, while others depicted multiple characters, complicating the quantification of gender representation. The data paired with an analysis notebook, openly shared on Arnold's GitHub, present a window into the current capabilities and shortcomings of AI in representing gender—a topic of critical importance given the potential influence of AI on societal norms and professional stereotypes. The potential implications of AI's gender bias are vast and multifaceted. If AI-generated content continues to show an imbalance, it could perpetuate existing stereotypes and contribute to the underrepresentation of women in certain sectors. Arnold's study invites the technology and broader society to examine the factors behind biased AI constructs and to develop corrective measures. It's not just about the fairness in artificial perceptions but also about ensuring diverse and inclusive representation in the burgeoning field of AI-generated content. This ensures that the future of AI remains equitable and reflective of the diverse world it's meant to serve.

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