Cyberfeminism and Gendered Power: Analyzing the Impact of Virtual Assistants on Submissive Behaviour in Digital Spaces; A Critical Review of UNESCO's “I’d Blush if I Could” Report

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have become integral to daily life. However, concerns have emerged about the gender biases these technologies can perpetuate, as seen in their passive and submissive responses to verbal harassment. This paper reviews UNESCO's “I’d Blush If I Could” report, which highlights how these biases reflect broader gender inequalities in AI. The paper argues for the need to promote gender-neutral voice assistants, close the digital skills gap, and increase women's participation in both technical and non-technical roles in the tech industry. These actions are essential for creating a more equitable future for AI technology.