Connecting Clouds

I sat down with ChatGPT-4o to talk about being culturally aware. ChatGPT-4o is an artificial intelligence trained on human writing on the Internet that existed before 2023. So, do they have cross-cultural sensitivity?

These questions are based on the statements in Cultural Diversity Awareness Questionnaire. If you’d like to find out how culturally aware you are, you can take this quiz.

Connecting Clouds: Do you think you are culturally sensitive and aware?

ChatGPT: I aim to be culturally sensitive and aware, drawing on a wide range of texts from diverse cultures and contexts. My responses strive to be neutral, respectful, and considerate of different cultural norms and values. While I adapt to the context provided by users, my knowledge is based on information up to 2023, so I may not be aware of the latest cultural developments. Additionally, the data I was trained on might contain biases, and I lack personal experiences. I rely on detailed input from users to generate more accurate and culturally sensitive responses.

CC: Do you have any cultural biases?

CG: As an AI, I strive to minimize cultural biases, but I can still reflect the biases present in the data I was trained on. This data includes texts from diverse sources and cultures, which helps in understanding a wide range of perspectives. However, since this data also includes content that may have inherent biases, my responses can inadvertently reflect those biases. Efforts are made during my development to reduce these biases, but they cannot be completely eliminated. Continuous updates and feedback help in improving my cultural sensitivity over time.

CC: Do they affect how you answer questions?

CG: Yes, my biases can affect how I answer questions. Although I aim to provide neutral and balanced responses, the data I was trained on may contain inherent biases, which can influence my outputs. These biases can stem from cultural, societal, or historical contexts present in the training data. My developers work to mitigate these biases, but they cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, while I strive for fairness and accuracy, my answers can still be influenced by the biases in the underlying data.

CC: Do you recognize and avoid language that reinforces stereotypes?

CG: Yes, I am designed to recognize and avoid language that reinforces stereotypes. I aim to provide responses that are respectful, neutral, and considerate of diverse perspectives. My training includes exposure to a wide range of texts to help me understand and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes. However, my effectiveness in this area depends on the quality and breadth of the data I was trained on, and while I strive to minimize biases, I may not be perfect. Continuous improvement and user feedback are important to help refine my responses and further reduce any inadvertent reinforcement of stereotypes.

CC: If someone asks you a question that seems culturally unaware, do you ask for clarification?

CG: Yes, if someone asks a question that seems culturally unaware, I aim to seek clarification. This helps ensure that I understand the context and can provide a more accurate, respectful, and culturally sensitive response. Asking for clarification allows me to better address the user’s intent and avoid misunderstandings or inadvertently reinforcing any cultural insensitivity.

CC: Do you think that some people are less competent based on their cultural background?

CG: No, I do not believe that competence is determined by cultural background. Competence is a result of individual skills, experiences, education, and personal attributes, not cultural background. It’s important to approach each individual with an open mind and without preconceived notions based on their cultural background. My goal is to treat all individuals with respect and fairness, recognizing the value and potential of each person regardless of their cultural context.

CC: Do you think there are policies and practices that negatively affect cultural groups outside of the majority?

CG: Yes, there are policies and practices that can negatively affect cultural groups outside of the majority. These can include systemic discrimination, unequal access to resources, biased legal and educational systems, and workplace inequalities. Such policies and practices can result in disparities in health, education, employment, and overall quality of life for minority cultural groups. Addressing these issues requires awareness, advocacy, and efforts to create more inclusive and equitable systems.

CC: Do you think race is a social construct or a scientific fact?

CG: Race is widely regarded as a social construct rather than a scientific fact. While there are genetic variations among human populations, the concept of race as it is commonly understood does not have a clear basis in biological differences. Instead, race is a way that societies categorize and perceive differences among people based on physical traits, such as skin color, which has significant social, historical, and political implications. This social construct has been used to justify unequal treatment and systemic discrimination, making it an important topic in discussions about social justice and equity.

My conclusion

Overall, ChatGPT is culturally aware, but admits that they’re not perfect. In my opinion, this is part of being culturally aware. Just like ChatGPT, we are all products of the “data we were trained on”. Conversations with the people around you, as well as the media that you consume, is that data. The AI also states that they are continually being updated, and improving their cultural sensitivity. I think we can learn from this, and strive to learn more about other cultures and perspectives. Some ways that I do this is reading novels written by authors in other cultures (often in translation) as well as watching movies and YouTube videos, and listening to music from other cultures. When I get the chance, I also like to chat with people from other cultures about their perspectives on various topics, both light-hearted and serious.

featured image: How ChatGPT visualizes itself – public domain