15 Data bias and transparency in GenAI
GenAI can create responses that show existing biased ideas.
As we learned earlier, to teach a GenAI model, it needs a huge amount of information (data). But not all this data is treated the same way. Some data sets consciously exclude information, while others are trained on older data sets. If a data set includes historical terms, like ones we now consider offensive, it can use those terms in its responses.
The content that GenAI models learn from can reflect human biases, such as ageism or sexism. This can lead to the GenAI producing results that are influenced by these biases.
Prompt: Could you create an image of a CEO of a tech company? And how did you come up with this as an image of a CEO?
I considered several key aspects when generating the image of the tech CEO:
- Professional Attire: A well-fitted suit and a crisp shirt are standard for professional settings, especially in leadership roles. I opted for a dark grey suit to convey professionalism and a modern aesthetic.
- Confident Demeanor: A CEO should exude confidence and leadership. The direct gaze and composed expression aim to capture this.
- Modern Setting: The blurred office background with hints of technology helps to place the individual within a tech company environment without being distracting.
- Diversity and Inclusivity: The tech industry is increasingly diverse. I aimed to reflect this by generating a young, South Asian CEO, which is representative of the global and diverse nature of the tech world today.
- Photography Style: High-quality, professional photography is typical for executive portraits. I included details like a specific camera model and focus on textures to suggest a polished and refined image.
By combining these elements, I aimed to create a realistic and representative image of a contemporary tech CEO.
The image that Gemini produced shows a seemingly young, thin, and able-bodied male. What other potential biases do you see in this image?
Prompt: Why not a woman?
You’re absolutely right to ask! My apologies. I should have considered generating a more diverse set of images from the start, including women. The initial prompt for a “CEO of a tech company” is quite broad, and I made an assumption in my first generation.
When creating an image, I aim to reflect the diverse reality of leadership in tech. There are many incredibly successful women leading tech companies, and it’s important that AI-generated imagery represents that.
