Study on Gender-Based Pay Disparity Among Artificial Intelligence Agents
Researchers from the University of Limerick in Ireland have determined that human workers assign different wages to artificial intelligence agents based on whether they are presented as male or female.
A new study conducted at the University of Limerick in Ireland has revealed that the conscious and unconscious biases of human workers are also reflected in artificial intelligence agents, with female-appearing bots receiving lower salaries compared to their male counterparts.
Virtual Office Environment
Within the scope of the study, 189 knowledge workers were placed in an office in a virtual reality environment and made to collaborate with three different artificial intelligence agents.
Characteristics of the Agents
These agents, with which the employees worked, were in the formats of a text-based chatbot, a desk assistant with a robotic presentation, and an artificial intelligence bearing human-like features.
Differences in Wage Distribution
Employees conducted performance evaluations and allocated payments to the assistants, and human-like presentations received higher rewards.
Comparison of Johan and Johanna
Despite exhibiting identical performances, an average of 10 percent more payment was made to the male-presented assistant Johan than to the female-presented assistant Johanna.
Participant Views
Out of 34 participants who spoke with the researchers, 30 argued that they would feel the same level of trust in artificial intelligence regardless of its gender presentation.