Women in South Asian countries like India face significant challenges, including gender discrimination and human trafficking. The introduction of technology has sometimes exacerbated these issues, such as the misuse of sonography for sex-selective abortions, leading to a skewed sex ratio. This study examines the potential impact of AI and robotics on women in developing countries, focusing on India. The researchers hypothesize that AI's increasing use may threaten existing human relationships and that there will be significant differences in how men and women perceive and utilize AI robots. The study aims to determine if AI will exacerbate the precarious position of women or serve as a liberating force, filling a gap in existing research that primarily focuses on developed countries.

The literature review explores the history and philosophy of AI, starting with Alan Turing's concept of humans as mechanical beings and Rosalind Picard's work on affective computing. It examines how human characteristics are being transferred to robots, particularly the feminization of robots to increase marketability and acceptance. The review highlights concerns about gender bias in AI development, with women underrepresented in the field, leading to the risk of perpetuating existing societal biases. It discusses the work of researchers like Lucy Suchman and Donna Haraway, who critique the traditional concepts of feminism and propose new ways of thinking about the human-machine interface. The review also addresses the growing concerns about algorithmic bias and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing inequalities.

This exploratory study employed a vignette experiment involving 125 female and 100 male volunteers, primarily university students in India. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey was conducted online using Google Forms and distributed via WhatsApp and email. The vignette depicted a futuristic scenario with various AI robots, prompting participants to consider their perceptions, needs, and potential threats associated with AI robots. A self-developed questionnaire was used to gather data on participants' perspectives on AI robots concerning gender, requirements, and potential threats to human relationships. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS 23, including mean, standard deviation, total-item correlation, regression, and reliability analysis to test the study's hypotheses.

The study revealed a positive correlation between perceptions of AI robots, their use and requirements, robot gender, and the perceived threat posed by AI robots. Regression analysis indicated that people's perceptions of AI robots and the gender of robots are significant predictors of the perceived threat. The hypothesis that AI robots may threaten existing human relationships was supported. A t-test showed a significant difference between male and female respondents in their perceptions of AI robots, but not in their requirements and use of AI robots. The results indicate that while there is a belief that AI could negatively impact gender balance, the demand for various types of robots was fairly equal between genders, except for sex robots, where men showed significantly higher interest. There is no significant difference between male and female preferences regarding the gender of robots. Most participants believe living with AI robots is a near-future reality and that AI's racial and ethnic appearance impacts purchasing decisions. A significant number of respondents believed that feminizing robots increases the risk of female stereotypes. While most participants did not believe that female AI robots are inherently more humane than male robots, they agreed that female robots are perceived differently.

The findings suggest that while the integration of AI robots into daily life may be driven by changing lifestyles and challenges in human relationships, there are significant concerns about potential negative impacts, particularly concerning gender bias and the perpetuation of stereotypes. The increased demand for sex robots among men raises ethical questions and highlights potential implications for the exploitation of women. The study challenges the assumption that women in developing countries are inherently resistant to AI, demonstrating a range of views and concerns. The results highlight the need for careful consideration of ethical programming and the design of AI systems to mitigate gender bias and promote equality.

This study reveals complex attitudes toward AI robots in a developing-world context. While there's an acceptance of AI's potential to improve daily life, gender bias in AI design and usage remains a concern. The significant gender difference in the demand for sex robots is particularly noteworthy, prompting further investigation into potential ethical ramifications. Future research should focus on designing AI systems that are inclusive and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The need for culturally sensitive AI development in diverse contexts is also highlighted.

The study's reliance on a sample primarily comprising university students in India limits the generalizability of the findings. The online survey method, while convenient during the pandemic, could introduce sampling biases. The use of a vignette experiment may not fully capture the nuances of real-world interactions with AI robots. Future studies should employ larger, more diverse samples and incorporate longitudinal data to better understand the long-term impact of AI on gender relations in developing countries.