Algorithmic Gender and Race Bias in Political Google Searches: Prevalence and Consequences

Konsep Inti

Algorithmic biases in Google search outputs systematically underrepresent women and non-white politicians, distorting perceptions of political realities and reinforcing white and masculine views of politics.

Abstrak

This article proposes and tests a framework of algorithmic representation to examine how search engines like Google reflect and amplify structural inequalities in politics. The key findings are:

Algorithm audits of political image searches on Google show consistent underrepresentation of women politicians across 56 countries and legislative bodies. This algorithmic underrepresentation moderately correlates with women's actual descriptive representation.

Experimental studies demonstrate that exposure to biased search engine outputs, where women and non-white politicians are underrepresented, leads to significant underestimations of their descriptive representation by around 10 percentage points.

These misperceptions of descriptive representation in turn diminish voters' assessments of the electability of women and non-white politicians, as well as their own external political efficacy. The article argues that search engines act as a novel driver of political exclusion, amplifying existing gender and race inequalities.

The findings contribute to ongoing debates on algorithmic fairness and injustice, highlighting the need for greater societal awareness and regulation around the discriminatory potential of AI-driven systems in political spaces.

Statistik

"In 2024, global descriptive representation for women in parliaments is 26.7%."
"In the U.S. House of Representatives, 29% of members are women and 26% are non-white, making the 118th Congress the most ethnically diverse and gender-balanced to date in US history."
"According to census data, the shares of women and non-white persons in the general US population are 50.5% and 41.1% respectively."

Kutipan

"Selection and ranking of information by search engines—and, crucially, biases of such algorithmic curation, including the systematic under- and misrepresentation of gender and racial groups—in turn shape perceptions of political realities."
"Specifically, search engine outputs that underrepresent women or non-white politicians may reinforce inequalities in politics by reifying the collective stereotypical representation of politicians as white and male."
"Crucially, mediation analyses suggest that this perceptual bias regarding descriptive representation results in undesirable political perceptions concerning the viability of politicians from minoritized groups."

Wawasan Utama Disaring Dari

Finding the white male: The prevalence and consequences of algorithmic gender and race bias in political Google searches

by Tobias Rohrb... pada arxiv.org 05-02-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2405.00335.pdf

Pertanyaan yang Lebih Dalam

How might algorithmic representation biases in other digital platforms, such as social media, further distort perceptions of political realities?

Algorithmic representation biases in other digital platforms, such as social media, can further distort perceptions of political realities in several ways. Firstly, social media platforms use algorithms to curate users' feeds and suggest content based on their preferences and interactions. If these algorithms are biased towards showing certain types of content over others, it can create echo chambers where users are only exposed to information that aligns with their existing beliefs and biases. This can reinforce existing stereotypes and misconceptions about political figures, especially women and non-white individuals who may already be underrepresented in traditional media.
Secondly, social media algorithms prioritize engagement and virality, often promoting sensational or controversial content. This can lead to the amplification of extreme or polarizing views, overshadowing more nuanced or diverse perspectives. As a result, women and non-white politicians may be portrayed in a skewed or negative light, affecting public perceptions of their capabilities and qualifications.
Additionally, the lack of transparency in how social media algorithms work can make it difficult for users to understand why certain content is shown to them. This opacity can lead to a sense of distrust in the information presented, further distorting perceptions of political realities. Moreover, the use of personalized advertising and micro-targeting on social media can tailor political messaging to specific demographics, potentially reinforcing biases and stereotypes about women and non-white individuals.
Overall, algorithmic biases in social media platforms can contribute to a distorted and limited view of political realities, perpetuating inequalities and hindering the representation of marginalized groups in the political sphere.

What are the potential long-term consequences of algorithmic underrepresentation on the political ambition and participation of women and non-white individuals?

The potential long-term consequences of algorithmic underrepresentation on the political ambition and participation of women and non-white individuals are significant. When search engines and other digital platforms consistently underrepresent women and non-white politicians, it can have a detrimental impact on how these groups are perceived by the public. This can lead to a reinforcement of stereotypes and biases, ultimately affecting the political ambition of women and non-white individuals.
One consequence is the discouragement of women and non-white individuals from pursuing political careers. When search engine results consistently show a lack of representation of these groups in politics, it can send a message that they are not valued or capable of holding positions of power. This can erode confidence and deter individuals from seeking political office, contributing to the perpetuation of gender and race inequalities in political leadership.
Moreover, algorithmic underrepresentation can influence public perceptions of the electability and credibility of women and non-white politicians. If search engine results consistently downplay the presence and achievements of these groups, it can impact voter attitudes and decision-making. This can create a self-perpetuating cycle where women and non-white individuals are seen as less viable candidates, further limiting their opportunities for political advancement.
In the long term, algorithmic underrepresentation can contribute to a lack of diversity in political leadership, hindering the progress towards more inclusive and representative governance. It is essential to address these biases and ensure that digital platforms accurately reflect the diversity of political voices to encourage greater participation and ambition among women and non-white individuals.

In what ways could advancements in explainable AI help mitigate the discriminatory effects of algorithmic biases in political information searches?

Advancements in explainable AI could play a crucial role in mitigating the discriminatory effects of algorithmic biases in political information searches. Explainable AI refers to the development of AI systems that provide transparent and understandable explanations for their decisions and actions. By enhancing the transparency and accountability of AI algorithms, explainable AI can help identify and address biases in political information searches.
One way explainable AI can mitigate discriminatory effects is by enabling researchers and policymakers to audit and analyze the algorithms used in search engines. By providing clear explanations of how search results are generated and why certain content is prioritized, explainable AI can help uncover biases and disparities in representation. This transparency can facilitate the identification of algorithmic biases that disproportionately impact women and non-white individuals in political searches.
Additionally, explainable AI can empower users to understand and challenge the information presented to them in search results. By providing insights into the factors influencing the visibility of political figures, users can make more informed decisions about the credibility and diversity of the information they consume. This increased awareness can help counteract the negative effects of algorithmic biases on perceptions of political realities.
Furthermore, advancements in explainable AI can facilitate the development of bias detection and mitigation tools for search engines. By incorporating explainable AI techniques into the design and evaluation of algorithms, developers can proactively identify and address biases that may lead to underrepresentation or misrepresentation of women and non-white individuals in political searches. This proactive approach can help prevent discriminatory effects and promote more equitable and inclusive information retrieval processes.
Overall, advancements in explainable AI offer promising opportunities to enhance the fairness and transparency of algorithmic systems in political information searches. By promoting accountability, understanding, and bias mitigation, explainable AI can contribute to creating more equitable and representative digital environments for all users.