Should Voice Assistants Have a Gender? The Case for Neutrality

In the ever-evolving world of technology, voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri have seamlessly integrated into our daily routines, becoming trusted household aides. However, they also reflect and potentially reinforce societal issues, such as gender bias. A recent study by Johns Hopkins engineers sheds light on how deeply these biases are ingrained, even in our digital helpers.

This study, published in the “Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction,” reveals a troubling trend: men interrupt voice assistants nearly twice as often as women. This behavior highlights significant concerns about the gender dynamics embedded in AI technologies that dominate many aspects of our lives.

Led by researcher Amama Mahmood, the study explores how these AI systems often default to feminized characteristics—exuding warmth, politeness, and submissiveness. Such traits, while seemingly benign, may actually reinforce harmful gender stereotypes that women face across various societal interactions.

During the in-person study, 40 participants interacted with voice assistants that varied in gender presentation, including feminine, masculine, and gender-neutral voices. The results unveiled a stark bias: participants frequently rated feminine-voiced assistants as more competent. Yet, paradoxically, these voices also experienced more interruptions, predominantly from male users.

Interestingly, when the voice assistant was equipped with a gender-neutral voice and employed simple error-response strategies—such as politely redirecting or asking clarifying questions—it received significantly fewer interruptions. This suggests that eschewing gendered traits in AI design could foster interactions that are both more respectful and effective.

Mahmood and her advisor, Chien-Ming Huang, emphasize that neutral designs in voice assistants might help mitigate biased behaviors, potentially paving the way for more equitable technological interactions. They are now directing future research efforts towards including more diverse voices and preferences, with a particular focus on nonbinary participants.

As voice assistants become fixtures in our daily lives, their design can significantly impact how we interact with technology. Beyond functionality, these designs also mirror societal norms and biases. Shifting towards gender-neutral designs in AI may not only enhance user experience but also contribute to a more equitable and inclusive digital landscape.

The ongoing research by Johns Hopkins stands as a promising step toward developing AI technologies that are not only more aware of diversity but also advance fairness and functionality within society. As we continue to intermingle humans and machines in daily life, ensuring that technology advances without perpetuating outdated biases becomes not just a technical goal, but a societal imperative.