is a research project founded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
and it is researched by Irene Zanardi and Prof. Dr. Monica Landoni
WHY IS NEEDED?
When asked about it, there is a tendency to believe that gender equity is an issue of the past, a well-deserved pin to appoint to humanity’s lapel.
Passively misunderstanding what equity really means, we are driven to pass by instances of sexism and simply not see them. Such things happen because of the complexity that gender brings to the table of society: not only is it part of society, not only is it constructed by society, but it also weaves the structure of society itself.
Because patriarchy is so foundational, to notice its effects not merely as a natural order of things requires attentive critical reflection. On top of this passive acceptance of the binary status quo, there is the even more concerning increase of active participation in cissexism and transphobia episodes.
“If you don’t think that representation matter, then you are probably well represented.”
Bernice King
WHAT ARE WE FOCUSING ON?
Generative AI has the potential to exacerbate issues of misrepresentation, but we propose reimagining it as a tool for engaging children in critical reflection on stereotypes.
Children begin to internalize gender norms through subtle, everyday signals embedded in binary-coded categories. Clothing, toys, media, and marketing. By the time they are around six to eight years old, many already have a clear sense of which behaviors and interests align with their assigned gender.
Given that technology plays a role in shaping identity, it is reasonable to expect that generative AI, especially with its growing influence, will do the same. Children may place undue trust in AI-generated visuals, which raises concerns about how such technologies might shape their developing sense of self and their ability to question what they see.