AI HICCUPS: Are AI Generators Biased?
WHAT DOES A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN LOOK LIKE TO AI??????
As an AI designer immersed in fashion, I’ve encountered a fascinating yet challenging aspect of art generation in AI and that is its inherent biases.
When I first began integrating AI into my design process, I quickly noticed a disturbing trend. No matter how many times I asked for an image of a beautiful woman, the AI consistently depicted a European ideal of beauty. It took numerous attempts and a shift in my approach to see a glimmer of the diversity I was seeking.
PROMPT - A beautiful woman (May 2024)
The Challenge of Diverse Representation
Now, consider my frustration of trying to reflect other standards of beauty that I was familiar with because they were hard to find in real life, only to be met with AI that ALSO seemed programmed with the same narrow and biased perspective. This wasn't just a minor hiccup in my creative process—it was a fundamental flaw that needed addressing.
To overcome this, I had to become meticulously descriptive in my commands, loading them with rich, specific language aimed at realizing other skin tones. It became evident that AI models often act like mirrors, reflecting not just images but the inherent biases of their creators who, perhaps unconsciously, designed these systems within the confines of their own experiences and identities.
PROMPT - A beautiful black woman (May 2024)
Educating AI, Expanding Perspectives
This journey has taught me that significant changes are needed, and although progress has been made, there's still a long way to go. By persistently interacting with AI, providing it with a diverse array of inputs, we're slowly but surely teaching it to recognize and embrace the full spectrum of human diversity. With each command, AI is learning to offer responses that include a wider array of skin tones, although it often still defaults to lighter shades.
In this digital era, those of us from diverse backgrounds are not merely users of technology; we are its educators. We stand on the front lines, advocating for tools that more accurately reflect the world’s true diversity. Every command we input, every image we critique, brings us one step closer to more inclusive and accurate AI representations.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced biases in generative AI?
How does it impact your view of technology and its role in society?
I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences as we navigate this fascinating era of creation and adaptation.
