In the early days of audio technology, it was believed that higher-pitched voices were easier to hear over background noise, a factor in choosing female voices for airplane cockpits, despite later studies that showed little difference in intelligibility. A 2019 UNESCO report, "I'd Blush If I Could," noted that the prevalence of female voices reinforces harmful gender stereotypes, presenting AI as docile, obedient, and available to take orders without complaint. In recent years, the trend has shifted slightly due to ethical concerns about reinforcing gender stereotypes. Many companies now allow users to change the default voice and offer options that are gender-neutral or non-binary, such as the "Q" voice assistant.
The article I read (link below) discusses how AI is used to promote female voices, eliminate jobs that are historically female (receptionists, data entry clerks), and use female robots in advertising that the 'woman' will be available 24/7 and is free.
Robots are used as employees in a Japanese hotel. Henn na Hotel is Japan's premier "robot hotel" chain, renowned for using robots to handle check-in, check-out, and concierge services. With over 20 locations (e.g., Tokyo, Tokyo Disney, Nagasaki), these hotels offer a futuristic, "strange" experience featuring dinosaur-like or humanoid robot staff, and sometimes in-room AI assistants, aimed at providing efficient, high-tech service. The robots were modelled after young Japanese women.
AI may be the future, but there needs to be oversight of the developers so as to not perpetuate patriarchy in the responses/searches from the use of AI technology.
https://medium.com/the-noösphere/the-future-is-female-servitude-b7cbea33d5df
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