There’s been a lot of media around The Miss AI Beauty Pageant, and despite my love of AI, I’m not thrilled with it. I think they missed the mark. 

Must we continue with the objectification of women and the reinforcement of harmful stereotypes, even in the world of AI?

While the organizers claim this contest aims to showcase the capabilities of AI technology and provide opportunities for AI content creators, it’s difficult to overlook the problematic nature of the event. By adopting the format of a traditional beauty pageant, Miss AI perpetuates the notion of a woman’s worth primarily being determined by her physical appearance and adherence to narrow beauty standards.

The fact that all 10 finalists fit the mold of young, thin, and busty women is a clear indication the creators behind these AI models have not used this technology to challenge or subvert conventional beauty norms. Instead, they’ve simply replicated the same tired stereotypes which have long plagued real-world beauty pageants.

Moreover, the use of AI influencers as a marketing tool raises ethical questions about the blurring of lines between reality and artifice in the digital space. As these AI models become increasingly sophisticated and convincing, there is a risk that they may mislead or manipulate audiences who mistake them for real human beings.

While some argue that AI influencers offer a more cost-effective and flexible alternative to human influencers, this perspective fails to address the potential social and cultural impact of normalizing the objectification of artificial women. It’s crucial we consider the messages and values we’re promoting through the use of AI technology, particularly when it comes to representations of gender.

Instead of a beauty pageant which rewards adherence to narrow beauty standards, the AI community could have used this opportunity to showcase the diverse range of possibilities that AI offers in terms of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. A prompt engineering contest, for example, would have allowed creators to demonstrate their skills in developing AI models that serve meaningful purposes beyond mere aesthetics. Heck, I’d be happier with the whole thing if it wasn’t named Miss AI Beauty Pageant. How about we call it a Prompt Engineering competition?

The Miss AI pageant serves as a reminder that we must actively work to challenge and dismantle harmful stereotypes, rather than perpetuate them in the digital realm. Only by prioritizing diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals can we ensure the development of AI truly benefits society as a whole.

I’ll get off my soapbox now. Thank you for reading.