Study: Men Frequently Overstate Their AI Knowledge
A Harvard study indicates men are more confident about AI than women, sometimes claiming to recognize fictional experts.
A new survey from Harvard's Shorenstein Center reveals that men often overestimate their knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI). Out of over 5,400 American respondents, 73 percent of men claimed to know OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. More than half (53 percent) also stated they recognized Mira Murati, Susan Milner, and Craig Dalton.
Murati is a real individual, formerly the CTO of OpenAI. Milner and Dalton, however, are fictional characters whom men mistakenly identified significantly more often than women. According to the research, men generally exhibit higher confidence in AI-related matters, which can lead to inaccuracies and self-overestimation.
The study found that while men use AI more frequently and answer factual questions better, the rate of incorrect answers is similar. The discrepancy arises because women more often report their uncertainty.
Men were also cited as subject experts in AI media coverage significantly more often than women, despite women comprising only about 29 percent of the AI talent pool. Researchers advocate for greater visibility of women in expert roles.