LGBT Objects to A.I. Gaydar

LGBT sees problems with A.I's ability to categorize sexual orientation      

Not known for being the most rational bunch, LGBT groups do come across as sensible in their criticism of the use of artificial intelligence and software algorithms to determine sexual orientation - well almost. Article

Their primary concern seems to be the dating drama it could cause on gay dating sites rather than the more salient question of individual privacy.

In their press release, LGBT representatives say:   

"This research isn't science or news, but it's a description of beauty standards on dating sites that ignores huge segments of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning) community, including people of colour, transgender people, older individuals, and other LGBTQ people who don't want to post photos on dating sites," said Jim Halloran, chief digital officer of Glaad, a media-monitoring body.

"These reckless findings could serve as a weapon to harm both heterosexuals who are inaccurately outed, as well as gay and lesbian people who are in situations where coming out is dangerous."

Not so fast LGBTers, it is science. And it's bizarre that in the press release they complain that the photo imaging technology establishes some sort of beauty standards that leave out certain people on gay dating sites. Ok, so an invalid technology is also discriminatory? Got it.

But through some small miracle, the LGBT press release actually gets something right. What if non-gay people are characterized as gay by A.I. and that false information is widely disseminated, it asks? And also, what about gay people who either don't want their sexual orientation to be an important part of their public profile or feel that that information could be harmful in a variety of ways? 

And there is a myriad of other issues related to it. Is there a credible reason why IDing sexual orientation through photo imaging technology is really necessary? What will A.I. do with that data in the future? 

Jaw size determines who is gay for both men and women    

In one test, when the algorithm was presented with two photos where one picture was definitely of a gay man and the other heterosexual, it was able to determine which was which 81% of the time.

With women, the figure was 71%.

"Gay faces tended to be gender atypical," the researchers said. "Gay men had narrower jaws and longer noses, while lesbians had larger jaws."

Researchers respond to the criticism:

The two researchers involved - Prof Michael Kosinski and Yilun Wang - have since responded in turn, accusing their critics of "premature judgement".

"Our findings could be wrong... however, scientific findings can only be debunked by scientific data and replication, not by well-meaning lawyers and communication officers lacking scientific training," they wrote.

"However, if our results are correct, Glaad and HRC representatives' knee-jerk dismissal of the scientific findings puts at risk the very people for whom their organisations strive to advocate."