Digital Ageism Persists in Artificial Intelligence-Generated Images
2024

Digital Ageism in AI-Generated Images

Sample size: 164 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Derenne Nicole, Martens Lindsey, Virgin Nicole, Hoffarth Phillip, Van Eck Richard, Klug Marilyn, Manocha Gunjan, Jurivich Donald

Primary Institution: University of North Dakota

Hypothesis

Instances of digital ageism in AI-generated representations of older adults do not lessen over time.

Conclusion

AI-generated images of older adults continue to predominantly reflect white, middle-class male figures despite societal shifts towards positive aging.

Supporting Evidence

  • AI-generated images showed significant differences in gender and socioeconomic representation.
  • The number of white racialized representations of older adults was five times higher than other racialized representations.
  • There was an increase in Asian racialized representations at the second point of inquiry.
  • No significant difference was found in emotional expressions between the two inquiry points.

Takeaway

This study looked at pictures made by AI to see if they show older people in a better way over time, but they still mostly show white men.

Methodology

The study compared AI-generated images at two points in time, analyzing them for gender, race, socioeconomic status, and emotional expression.

Potential Biases

The study may be biased as it only examines a specific type of AI-generated content.

Limitations

The study only focuses on AI text-to-image generation and does not consider other types of AI-generated content.

Statistical Information

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.4162

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