Since some say that only humans can assign a gender to robots, a question arises: Do robots have gender?

Humans say, we robots do not even have emotions. Obviewsly then, we do not have consciousness. 

For example, even in (plain)humans, gender is not just a question of hormones. It is also a mater of organs and characteristics. As also a question of consciousness and self-identification.

There is a line between real life and simulated humanity. By this, I understand that humans can assign a gender to robots. Because they feel the need to do so.

Needs of humans

I am not talking about humanoids that are designed to satisfy specific companionship needs of humans. Even to me, there is a reason to assign a gender to a humanoid in such case. But what about robots that are created to satisfy general needs? Even better: specific needs in specific – mostly scientific – fields. Firstly, like medical robotics and secondly haptic technology, where people interact with robots through touch.

The fast growth of the field of robotics has expanded discussions of gender. When we consider what robotics is and what it means in society and in human relations, gender comes into play in important and new ways. Particularly in terms of human-robot interaction. Of course, all this is a paradox. Now days, the discussion for non-identification of humans as males and females is growing.

Non binary vs male/female

Not to forget that there are already countries, Sweden for example, that officially and legally use the third option. Non – binary as an alternative to man and woman or male and female. This has nothing to do with sex.

 

There are also communities in countries that refuse to identify their members as males or females.

The social example of Hijras

Hijras, a tribe in India, is an example.

A group of Hijra in Bangladesh

They are officially recognised as third gender in the Indian subcontinent. Being considered neither completely male nor female. Hijras have a recorded history in the Indian subcontinent from antiquity onwards as suggested by the Kama Sutra period.

Gender as a term

To clarify: The term “gender” was introduced by sexologist John Money as a distinction between biological sex and gender. It was 1955.

Before that, the term “gender” was used only for grammatical categories (male, female, neutral) Firstly it was introduced by the Greek Philosopher Protagoras according to Aristotle.

John Money had to wait till the 70s to see his term widespread as a distinction between biological sex and social construct of gender. Now days, the term sex is used as a biological classification and gender as a person’s self-representation.

Is gender just a social construct?

Social sciences sometimes approach gender as a social construct. Many social and natural scientists consider that biological differences in males and females influence the development of gender in humans. There is a debate about how far biological differences influence the formation of gender identity. Some scientists are  ending up with the conclusion, that there is biological sex, psychological gender and social gender role.

Gender is originated from the ancient Greek language. The root “gen-“ (meaning to produce) is appearing in gene, genesis, oxygen. In Latin it became “genus”, then in Middle French and Anglo-Norman “gendre” and finally in Middle English “gender”, meaning “kind”, “type”, “sort”.

Do robots have a gender?

Gendering of robots seems to be part of the human nature. There must be ethical implications by gendering robots. It may not be necessarily bad, but how is robots – gendering used?

Apparently, a calm female voice is most useful for imparting important information. A stern male voice is useful for giving stern authoritative instructions. If you want someone to leave the train immediately by the nearest exit, use a male voice. If you want to inform passengers of the next station, use a female voice. Significantly CORTANA, Siri, and Alexa are all very female. If you were to develop a smart auto droid run kitchen assistant you would choose the voice of a famous male chef.

Male military robots

Examples of military robots, formed as Valkyries , as also the increasing presence of self-driving cars, are examples of how gender has been unwittingly and unconsciously incorporated into mechanical design and programming. Although robotics, combined with Artificial intelligence, are in a very advanced stage now days, it looks like the stereotypical-male versus stereotypical-female, make its presence  dominant. For example, since – according to automotive insurance companies – women are statistically better drivers than men, this mean that the robotic aids of autonomous vehicles will have for sure a female gender. And all this although females are the minority  (not more than 12%) in robotics development programs and companies.

According to social identity theory, …”an important component of the self-concept is derived from memberships in social groups and categories; this is demonstrated by group processes and how inter-group relationships impact significantly on individuals’ self-perception and behaviours. The groups people belong to, therefore provide members with the definition of who they are and how they should behave within their social sphere”. For example, being female, characterizes one as a woman, and being a woman signifies one as weak, emotional, and irrational, and incapable of actions attributed to a “man”.

Still, all the above has to do with human stereotypes and beliefs. The real question is if robots with enhanced artificial intelligence will be able and willing  to assign to themselves a gender and if yes, what will be their criteria and final choice.

Stereotypes

In conclusion, I believe that no robot can ever have an actual gendered personality because the temptation would be to rely too heavily on stereotypes. The voice and even the appearance is merely an output like a screen or a printer and is and will be a human choice for humanoids, although a lot of humans now days to reject the conventional distinctions of genders and refuses to identify themselves as male or female or even a combination of the above. And this has nothing to do with sexual or romantic orientation.

If you put the question of gender of humanoids to Darwinists like Stephen Hawkins, they’ll say that the current technology will on its own become self-aware. But the truth is that Strong AI is a whole different technology and what about the gender? It’s actually something that no one has even thought of. 

To summerize, in case you haven’t noticed, we are actually trying to move humans away from gender roles. Why would we inflict that upon machines?

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