We No Longer Recognized Her as a Human Being

A Critical Discourse Analysis of AI-Generated Character Descriptions of Men and Women With Dementia

Bibliographic Data

ID6436389
AuthorsEmma Putland (0000-0002-4545-9275, Lancaster University, corresponding author), Chris Chikodzore-Paterson (Film Independent), G Brookes (0000-0003-0726-2559, Lancaster University)
Year2025
Volume9
Issue2
Pages183-208
Publication date2025-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Language and Discrimination (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2397-2645 • E-ISSN: 2397-2637
PublisherEquinox Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3138/jld-2025-1002
OpenAlexW7106751184
LanguageEN
References cited44

Motivated by the gender inequalities observed in relation both to dementia and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), this article takes a critical discourse analysis approach to explore how gender and dementia intersect in 52 AI-generated character descriptions of men and women with dementia. Using “woman/man” as entry points through which to explore discursive constructions masculinities and femininities in the data, we find gendered distinctions in how characters’ bodies are evaluated, social roles attributed, and violence presented. We also find that a deficit approach to dementia dominates, emphasizing suffering, loss, and hopelessness. Characters with dementia are stereotyped as older and frail, either near death or already dead in body and/or mind. Overall, the AI-generated texts recycle (and potentially amplify) pervasive discourses regarding both dementia and gender. Our findings therefore reinforce the need for further critical engagement with GenAI, from design to use, to interrogate and challenge its capacity to perpetuate inequalities

Character (mathematics · Critical discourse analysis · Dementia · Discourse analysis · Generative grammar · Inequality · Relation (database · Social constructionism