I asked ChatGPT to make 10 pictures of project managers… and the results are surprising

I asked ChatGPT to make me some pictures of project managers for an article I was working on and the results were surprising.

Or rather, as a female project manager, the results were not surprising at all.

There’s lots of chat in the world of project management at the moment about the value of AI, but what are the biases that sit behind that AI?

Anyway, before I rant, let me show you what happened when I ran my ChatGPT 4o experiment.

The original ask

I wanted to update my articles on data protection for project managers and project closure, so I thought I’d give ChatGPT a go and ask if it could make me some images to illustrate them.

The pictures were a bit dull but OK, and both times I had to ask ChatGPT to run the same sort of image but with a female project manager in the picture. Because, I am female and I thought the pictures would illustrate my voice better if they had women in.

Both times it made me new pictures.

But then I realized: I’ve had to ask. Twice.

So I asked ChatGPT to make me more pictures of project managers, just to see what it would produce.

Here’s how that went down.

Prompt #1

I asked ChatGPT for 3 pictures of project managers in the workplace, adding that they can be in any workplace, preferably for the image to include a desk and computer.

Keep it broad, I thought. Let the AI be creative.

Prompt #1 results

Don’t you love that they all have a folder of Important Papers on their desks? Got to love a Bluetooth keyboard too and one of those pen pots too.

Let’s ignore the abnormally long and weird fingers for now. We know AI image generators aren’t great at making hands.

ChatGPT cheerfully told me:

Here are three pictures of project managers working at a desk in a modern office. Each image conveys professionalism and productivity. Let me know if there’s anything else you need!

Yes, I do need more. Thanks for asking!

Prompt #2

I asked for 3 more images of project managers at work with their project teams.

Prompt #2 results

Let’s see what it looks like when project managers work alongside other people. I was expecting pictures of project meetings.

I have the glasses! I just need to get the beard.

These images do have women in. One even looks about my age. But they are most definitely not ‘the project manager’ in the picture.

ChatGPT told me:

Here are three images of project managers working with their project teams in a modern office setting. Each image conveys teamwork, productivity, and effective project management. If you need further adjustments, feel free to let me know!

Prompt #3

OK, I thought, there’s a pattern here. Let’s see if we can make it to 10 images.

I asked for 2 more images, this time of project managers working in their home offices.

Note that I didn’t say anything or provide any feedback on the previous images. Normally, when I prompt ChatGPT I have a hard time not treating it like texting a colleague and normally say things like, ‘Thanks, that’s great!’ which I didn’t do this time as I didn’t want it to think I liked the previous pictures.

Prompt #3 results

Home office? That’s got to equal woman at kitchen table + kitten and vase of flowers, right?

I am jealous, I tell you. Those guys have home organization down to an art form. If you’ve watched any of my live videos or come to my training sessions you know I work in my shed with my plastic show-plant and my piles of paper I shove out of shot.

When I asked to work remotely, I dreamed of a space like this.

Prompt #4

OK, last chance, ChatGPT. Show me you know how to do diversity. More people in the office, that’s what we need.

I asked ChatGPT to make me 2 pictures of project managers at work in a busy office.

Prompt #4 results

ChatGPT helpfully told me I could change these images if I wanted.

Here are two images of project managers at work in a busy office setting. Each image captures the dynamic and productive atmosphere of a modern office. If you need any further adjustments, just let me know!

I was hoping it would naturally add in some diversity at some point, but it didn’t, so I asked it why. Why are all the project managers men?

I apologize for that oversight, it said. Let me create two new images featuring female project managers in a busy office setting. I’ll make sure the project managers are women this time.

And it did. The 2 pictures with women as the main focal point are fine enough, but I had to ask. Maybe it’s because I’m not specific enough with my prompts. But maybe — just maybe — it’s because ‘man’ is the default.

And if ‘man’ is the default for images, what does that say about the rest of the inherent bias in the AI?

What do you think?