GoKawiilStudy finds users pay female-named AI chatbots 10% less than male-named ones
A study found that when an AI agent was given a female name, 'Johanna,' users offered it roughly 10% less payment than an identically functioning agent named 'Johan.' Both male and female participants in the research showed this pattern, despite the two chatbots performing the same tasks with the same capabilities.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest that gender bias humans hold toward people may carry over into interactions with AI systems, even when there is no rational basis for differential treatment since the underlying technology is identical. This could have real economic consequences as AI agents are increasingly used for negotiation, sales, or freelance-style work, potentially embedding gender pay disparities into automated systems. Researchers and companies deploying gendered AI personas may need to consider how naming and presentation choices influence user behavior.
- Chatbot named 'Johanna' was paid about 10% less than one named 'Johan' for identical work.
- Bias was shown by both male and female study participants.
- Findings raise questions about gender bias transferring into human-AI economic interactions.
Source: fastcompany.com, 2026-10-15
Published there as: “Even female chatbots get paid less than male AI agents”
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