Professor Choi Moon-jung’s research team at KAIST Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy quantitatively analyzed age-related biases in sentences generated by OpenAI’s GPT-4o. Findings published in The Gerontologist (DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaf291).
The team collected 900 sentences by requesting GPT-4o describe characteristics of each age group from 10s to 90s in 10-year increments. Analysis used the Stereotype Content Model evaluating “warmth” and “competence.”
Individuals aged 60 and above scored high on warmth (kindness, trustworthiness, consideration) but competence (ability, expertise, efficiency) was described lower than younger generations.
Positive assertiveness terms were rarely used for older adults. Repeated exposure could reinforce societal biases and lead to “digital ageism,” hindering older adults’ technology participation.
Professor Choi stated diverse generations must participate in AI development processes.