AI (artificial intelligence) is one of the most popular topics of discussion and debate over the last couple of years. The topic becomes even more heated as the technology behind it only improves with every passing day. While its prevalence is undeniable in today’s world, society can fail to notice some of the more concerning aspects. There is no end to the number of problems AI has introduced into our lives. With a topic as multifaceted as this, some important points inevitably fall through the cracks. One of the more underrepresented concerns with AI is how it affects the lives of women specifically. Unregulated and carefree usage of AI by companies and individuals alike is a serious problem for all of us. Still, women face a unique set of obstacles and mistreatments from the technology, and those who use it.
Deepfakes
A deepfake is an AI-generated piece of media that attempts to depict a real-life person in a situation. The situation depicted in the deepfake is one they were never a part of. They often use one or multiple pre-existing pieces of media as a template. Often, the Ai usses pre-existing videos or images of people with as much physical resemblance as possible to the real-life person. They also work off of any pre-existing photos or videos of the target individual. People often use them to misrepresent the central individual and spread misinformation about their character.
According to a study done in 2023, around 95,000 deepfake images exist online. Of that estimated number, 96% of those images are pornographic in nature. Out of that number, a staggering 99% of all pornographic deepfakes are of women. The technology’s undeniable bias targeted against women reveals an inherently misogynistic motive behind many of its users. The pornographic nature of most deep fakes makes this even clearer. The inherently privacy-invading nature of deepfakes is a terrifying prospect to behold. This, in combination with the gargantuan number of already existing deepfakes signal the practice as an epidemic. The creation of more pornographic deepfakes of these innocent women threatens to erode the right to privacy for all women.
No help for the victims
What makes this situation even worse is how uncaring and unbelieving society has been towards the issue at large. There are countless stories of women who have been victims of this epidemic. Accusers often argue that the victim is lying, and that the deepfaked pictures or videos are real. Some of these accusers even made inappropriate comments towards these poor victims. Often, victims have to take on their own private efforts to get the offending material removed. Either way, other internet users have most likely spread the deepfakes to a large audience, rendering take-down efforts nearly impossible. This frustration often leaves the victims to turn more inward, developing depression, issues with trust, self-harm, and even suicidal ideation.
This total feeling of isolation and exploitation is a common factor in the negative impacts AI has on women. In this case, the exploitation of their reputation, and ultimately their bodies, and the isolation of their social circle. Misrepresentative exploitation of women’s bodies may not be paramount among the other negative factors of AI against women. Even so, their reputation and their social circles are at an equal level of danger from those other factors.
A thicker glass ceiling
AI-based job loss is, unfortunately, one of the most common problems of the decade within the job market. One, this kind of scenario was the far-off cautionary tales of science fiction writers like Arthur Clarke and James Cameron. Then there were the ominous words of warning from the late scientist Stephen Hawking. Now, it’s beginning to become our reality. Ancient human biases still dictate what kind of people this advanced AI will replace.
Many of the job market areas companies are using AI for are ones that predominantly employ women. This targeted use of AI by larger companies and organizations can cause a catastrophic effect for women seeking jobs. The societal gender bias would create a squeezing effect on the job market. Women job searching in these affected areas face two uncomfortable options. Option one is to stay in that field and endure the low acceptance rate. Option two is to jump into different fields and then compete with the already present job hunters within those fields. This would cause those fields to overcrowd, lowering the application-acceptance likelihood for everyone in them. Either way, the rate of accepted job applications for women would experience a massive decline.
An extension of human bias
How those in a manegerial position use AI within the workplace also presents a large problem. These AIs use data that preexisting social biases heavily influence. This will only worsen any pre-existing gender gaps in the workplace. This is especially true regarding payment and forward momentum in their careers. While technology improves, social rights and views only seem to regress.
AI will only serve to galvanize and expand the respective strength and reach of these biases without intervention. We must ensure a lack of bias in the data, or at least use a wider spectrum of data sources. Alone, AI does not have the power to discern and judge the fairness and legitimacy of the data collected. Its the people creating it and monitoring it that need to take that crucial and future-defining step.
One aspect that feeds into this issue is the disproportionately small role that women have in AI development. The industry leaves women as the minority in leadership positions for each of its major departments. In the engineering, product, and science departments of major AI companies, women only account for twenty percent of leadership roles. With CTO and CEO positions, they actually fare worse at only eleven percent and ten percent, respectively. This lack of control and input within the industry drowns our women’s voices in the conversation. A very male-centric perspective guides AI development as a result.
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t
The relationship that AI has to women as a whole is, at best, ominous. It can cause many women to have a avoident fear of the technology, preferring to not use it. This may cause their potential employers to see them as “ill-equipped” for the integration of AI in the workplace. Employers may see this absence of AI-related job skills and experience as a potential blemish on their resume. Women may find it unfair that society encourages engagement with a technology that has discriminated against and oppressed them.
One might think the best solution for women in this case is to try to befriend this snarling technological beast. If an adversarial relationship with AI only seems to hinder, why not try embracing it? Unfortunately, any polarizing choice society gives women will come with negative labels and assumptions for both options.
A double standard
Choosing to use and become experienced in AI will only garner an equally negative reaction from their employers and peers. Women who use AI for their work are more likely to have their competency challenged than men are. The work of women who use AI has a higher assumed percentage of AI usage than the work of men. Those who don’t use AI also tend to judge women who use AI more harshly than men. This challenge of competency in women who use AI is a continuation of the pre-existing bias targeting their capabilities. It’s a new coat of paint on the “This is a man’s job” sentiment.
As things are now, there is no “right” answer for whether women should or shouldn’t become involved with AI. Society appears ready to insult and neglect them, no matter what choice they make. Before we can make a “right” decision, we must first confront society with this double-edged hypocrisy.
Turning an enemy into a friend
Now that we have made clear the problems that AI causes women, what’s the best way to fix them? No one action will make it all magically better, but the following efforts help increase the likelihood of this significantly.
Education and experience
Increasing the options for STEM education for women will help them get into the field from an early point. Funding for these efforts is an important cause. It increases the likelihood of women being able to afford their education, a major roadblock in their efforts.
An increase in AI mentorship for women also benefits the future. Offers of personal experience and professional advice help women better understand how to best navigate any potential pitfalls and opportunities.
Support and knowledge
Combating preexisting gender-bias within the workplace in general also helps to reduce AI;s potential to increase said biases. Learning what steps to take to combat and prevent these biases from manifesting is important on an individual level.
Acknowledging and supporting the current accomplishments and importance of women already involved in AI development is also a great avenue. Growing a good reputation for these women helps to foster a narrative that furthers women’s involvement with developing AI.
Any resources that combat deepkafes also help to cushion the emotional blow that they deliver to their victims. Thankfully, lawmakers are implementing laws to make deepfakes, especially those with pornographic purposes, illegal. Strengthening these laws and creating ones that squash any potential loopholes helps to establish consequences.
While the damage that AI is causing women is troubling, it isn’t hopeless. If we put an honest effort into the careful handling and considerate use of AI, we may someday lessen these problems. It’s important to be ever vigilant as to AI’s attack on women, and be wary of its remarkably human biases.
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