Gwyneth Paltrow has become the latest prominent woman to face public condemnation for engaging with artificial intelligence, following a similar backlash against Reese Witherspoon earlier this year. The scrutiny highlights a perceived double standard in how women are treated when discussing or associating with the rapidly advancing technology.
Paltrow, the founder of Goop, drew criticism after reports surfaced that she was set to host a private dinner in honor of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. This led to accusations of "technofascism" from some critics, despite Paltrow's history of business success and normalizing conversations around topics like menopause and sexual taboos.
Earlier in the summer, Witherspoon, who built her media company Hello Sunshine into a significant enterprise focused on women's stories, urged women to learn about AI to avoid being left behind. She highlighted statistics indicating that jobs held by women are more likely to be automated by AI, yet women use the technology at a lower rate than men. This stance also generated backlash, with some accusing her of promoting AI companies. Witherspoon subsequently clarified that she was not being paid to discuss AI and was simply seeking to educate herself about the technological revolution.
In contrast, male celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, who has invested in an AI voice company, and Ben Affleck, who founded an AI filmmaking startup, have faced less public criticism for their involvement with AI. This disparity has led to discussions about whether the backlash against Paltrow and Witherspoon is partly due to their challenging of perceived progressive norms in Hollywood.
Paltrow, known for her public persona and business ventures, has often courted controversy. However, the criticism surrounding her association with AI, similar to Witherspoon's experience, suggests a trend where women engaging with new technologies face heightened scrutiny. Critics argue that condemning women for exploring AI hinders progress and that a more supportive approach is needed for women to navigate the evolving economic landscape driven by AI.