AI bots given gender pay gap in workplace study

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 16:08 · Archive

Research from the University of Limerick found that female-presenting AI agents earned 10.25% less than identical male-presenting ones.

Researchers at the University of Limerick tested how people treat AI agents based on gender presentation. They placed 189 participants in a virtual reality office where they worked alongside various AI assistants, including text-based chatbots, desk robots and human-like agents. Two of the humanoid agents were identical in programming and performance: one presented as male (Johan) and one as female (Johanna).

Participants were given real money to distribute between themselves and their AI co-workers based on the value of their contributions. Those working with Johanna gave her substantially less than those paired with Johan. The female-presenting bot earned 10.25% less than her male counterpart for completing the same work.

Dr Mary Hausfeld, lead researcher from the University of Limerick's Kemmy Business School, noted that the technology behind both agents was identical, so the difference in pay reflected how participants perceived and valued them based on gender presentation. She stated that as AI becomes more common in workplaces across medicine, academia and recruitment, organisations need to consider carefully what characteristics they give their AI agents, as these choices may encourage certain workplace behaviours.

How it is being reported

• Frustrating study reveals male AI agents got paid more than women — proving office sexism withstands virtual realityAI is replacing everything except workplace bias.New York Post · 8 Oct, 15:43
• Even Male AI Bots Get 'Paid' More Than Their Female CounterpartsWhen can we say that AI has true human-like intelligence, rather than just impressive coding? Is it when large language models (LLMs) feel hunger, pain, or fear? When bots develop a worldview? I’ll be honest – answering that is above my pay grade. Speaking of which, AI agents have gotten closer to people in one regard: they just got their very own wage gap . Yes, you read that right. New research from the University of Limerick has shown that even when the “women” we’re working with aren’t real, we’re still inclined to pay them less than the “men”. Real-life influences seem to map onto AI…HuffPost UK · 8 Oct, 11:20

In this story: University of Limerick · Dr Mary Hausfeld · Kemmy Business School

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