Students projects

Challenging Gender Bias in Smart Technologies


Participants

Noemi Mazzon

Aurora Cadalino

Zeynep Ezel

Halimatou Samateh 

 
Abstract

This project explores how gender norms and biases are embedded in the design and use of smart technologies, particularly AI-powered voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Drawing from gender studies and human-computer interaction (HCI) literature, it highlights how traits like submissiveness and default female voices in these assistants reinforce harmful stereotypes. The project targets young adults (ages 20–30), aiming to raise awareness among tech-savvy consumers who frequently interact with such tools but may not recognize the biases they perpetuate.
Through an Instagram campaign featuring accessible tips and interactive content, the initiative encourages users to critically engage with the technologies they use and to demand more equitable, gender-inclusive design from tech companies. By shedding light on the societal norms embedded in everyday digital tools, the project hopes to spark a grassroots push for more inclusive technological development.

 
Project presentation 
Project report
Project website 
Project output

Type of output 
Instagram page
Equality issues addressed