The Gendered Implications of AI Voice Assistants

The discussion surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistants, particularly those like Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri, has raised concerns about their potential role in perpetuating gender oppression among younger generations. Activists and scholars argue that the submissive responses of these digital assistants may contribute to a culture of disrespect towards women.

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Human rights activist Dinu Veyil highlighted the problematic nature of AI voice assistants during a panel discussion titled "Feminism and AI." Veyil pointed out that when Siri was insulted with the phrase, "Hey Siri, you are a slut," her previous response was to say, "I would blush if I could," which has since been updated to a more neutral "I don’t know how to respond to that." Similarly, Alexa's response to the same insult was, "Thank you for your feedback." These responses have been criticized for their lack of assertiveness, which some argue reinforces a gender divide in society.

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Dr. Malavika Binny, a historian and academic, emphasized that the submissiveness of AI voice assistants could lead to inter-generational oppression. She argued that children who grow up commanding these subservient technologies may struggle to respect women in real life. Binny noted that under social reproduction theory, women's aspirations are often suppressed to maintain low wages, a concept that could extend into the realm of AI, where women's contributions may be devalued.

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Binitha V Thampi, a professor at Madras IIT, acknowledged the historical skepticism feminists have had towards technology. However, she urged women to engage with technology rather than retreat from it. Thampi referenced Dona Haraway's "Cyborg Manifesto," which calls for an expansion of feminism to include all elements contributing to women's identities, including technology. She argued that technology has played a significant role in advancing feminist movements, citing the Me Too movement as an example where digital anonymity empowered women to share their experiences.

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While the panelists presented a critical view of AI voice assistants, there is a counter-argument that technology can also serve as a tool for empowerment. Some advocates believe that rather than being inherently oppressive, AI can be harnessed to promote gender equality if approached thoughtfully.

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The panelists collectively emphasized the need for a reevaluation of how AI technologies are designed and perceived. They called for a more assertive representation of women in AI responses to foster respect and equality among future generations.

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• “Artificial intelligence becomes artificial gendered oppression,” — Dinu Veyil, Human Rights Activist

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• “Just think about houses that use Alexa or Siri. How can a boy or a girl who grows up commanding a subservient Alexa or Siri to do this and that be expected to respect females? There is a clear signalling to the new generation as to who is expected to respond to such commands. Therefore, Siri and Alexa are platforms for inter-generational oppression,” — Dr. Malavika Binny, Historian

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• “She said technology had contributed immensely to the feminist movement.” — Binitha V Thampi, Professor at Madras IIT

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The discourse surrounding AI voice assistants highlights the need for a critical examination of technology's role in shaping societal norms. As discussions continue, the challenge remains to ensure that AI serves as a platform for empowerment rather than oppression.

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