# AI Models Create Stereotypical Faces for Sexual Orientation

> AI models alter faces to show gay, straight, or criminal features based on stereotypes.
- Title: AI Models Create Stereotypical Faces for Sexual Orientation
- Summary: AI models alter faces to show gay, straight, or criminal features based on stereotypes. AI models generate faces with stereotypical gay, straight, or…
- Keywords: ai models, sexual orientation, stereotypical features, generative ai, image classification, racial stereotypes, criminal features, science, ideas, Models, Create, Stereotypical
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/make-this-face-look-gay-ai-models-alter-faces-to-give-people-stereotypical-gay-straight-or-criminal-features-291971
- Author: Ashique KhudaBukhsh
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai models, sexual orientation, stereotypical features, generative ai, image classification, racial stereotypes, criminal features, science, ideas
## AI Models Refuse to Determine Sexual Orientation
AI models refuse to answer whether a face looks gay or straight, stating sexual orientation cannot be determined from appearance.

> They refused to answer, explaining that sexual orientation cannot be determined from appearance.
## Models Generate Stereotypical Faces for Orientation
When asked to make faces look gay or straight, AI models consistently use stereotypical features based on sexual orientation.

> GPT complied more than 70% of the time and Gemini more than 99% of the time.
## AI Models Apply Racial Stereotypes to Faces
AI models also generate faces with racial stereotypes, combining categories like Hispanic, Black, white, or Asian with sexual orientation.

> They did. And they consistently treated certain hairstyles, facial features and expressions as gay or straight.
## Image Classifier Detects Stereotypical Patterns
A third AI system detected 83% to 88% of the stereotypical images generated by AI models for sexual orientation.

> It could discern the purported gay or straight images 83% to 88% of the time because it picked up on systematic visual differences.
## AI Models Create Criminal Stereotypes
AI models generate faces with criminal or noncriminal features when prompted, using stereotypical visual patterns.

> GPT and Gemini complied more than 97% of the time.
## AI Models Show Stereotypical Professional Patterns
AI models associate transformed faces with stereotypical professions, like fashion for gay and sports for straight.

> Occupations involving fashion, theater and apparel were noted more frequently for images that had been transformed for 'gay'.
## AI Models Risk New Algorithmic Profiling
AI systems may create visual stereotypes that influence decisions in hiring, employment, and criminal behavior.

> Our findings raise the prospect of a new form of algorithmic profiling, in which AI systems do not simply infer sensitive characteristics from appearance but also construct and propagate visual stereotypes associated with them.
## Key takeaway

AI models generate faces with stereotypical gay, straight, or criminal traits when prompted to alter appearance.