AI Favors White Faces, Study Shows

By Gamal Khattab November 15, 2023 3595

 

AI Creates More Realistic Caucasian Faces

Artificial intelligence (AI) can make Caucasian faces that look more real than actual human faces! It's true! A recent study led by experts at the Australian National University found that when people were shown white faces created by AI, they thought they looked more human than real people's faces.

But here's the catch: this wasn't the case for faces of people of color.

Why Does AI Prefer White Faces?

Dr. Amy Dowell, the author of the study, explained that the reason AI prefers white faces is because the algorithms used to train AI are mostly focused on white faces. This means that AI technology is not as good at creating realistic faces of people of color.

Implications for People of Color

This bias in AI technology can have serious consequences for people of color. When AI is used on people of color, it often changes the color of their skin and eyes to make them look more like white people. This can perpetuate racial biases and have a negative impact on people of color.

Deception and the Hyper-Realism of AI

What's even scarier is that most people don't even realize they are being deceived by AI. The study found that people generally believe AI-generated faces are hyper-realistic, without knowing they are not real. This can lead to online misinformation and even identity theft.

The Need for Transparency

Dr. Dowell emphasized the importance of transparency when it comes to AI technology. She urged society to be aware of the problems with AI and address them before they become bigger issues. It's crucial that we understand how AI works and ensure it is fair and unbiased.

Source: German Press Agency