Artificial intelligence image generators use machine learning and mathematical algorithms to create images from a description written in natural language. With OpenAI making DALL-E available to the public, and Microsoft adding AI-image generators to products like Bing and Microsoft Edge, the technology is becoming more accessible to the general public.
There is much and damning commentary that points to the degree to which artificial intelligence systems are biased and can enhance public discrimination and prejudice in it’s decision-making (such as facial recognition, the identification of skin issues, sentencing and job applicant assessment). Another place this can be evident is in the images produced by an AI image generation system. This is a factor individual researchers should be alert to in the design and conduct of research. It is also something that institutions should provide guidance on.
So with the rise in popularity and function of AI image generators, we thought it was pertinent to ask: are AI-generated images biased?
AI and You
There are many applications of AI in our daily lives – some more useful than others. Have you ever been about to send an email and gotten a pop-up asking if you forgot to include an attachment? AI reviewing your message as you wrote may have saved you from an embarrassing mistake.