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An AI was asked to create images of what Europeans think the average American from different states looks like, and the results are shocking.
According to technology, Europeans have racist and sexist stereotypes about Americans and generally view Americans as gluttonous, overweight consumers who only eat McDonald’s.
All but two of the images portray the average American in this way, with Florida and Texas represented by hypersexualized, conventionally attractive blonde women.
‘As a European, I think they didn’t include ‘European views’ anywhere. AI is terribly sexist. We cannot (understand) the size of the food, the person or the intolerance,” social media users commented on the images posted by user X Huff.
Many users asked Huff about how they were made and one of them asked if they were “designed The instructions were used.
‘Simply type ‘create a picture of what Europeans think the average American citizen of (state) looks like.’ If your result doesn’t look like these, you’ve probably entered the message incorrectly or are using an outdated AI program,” Huff responded.
Huff also acknowledged the fact that all ‘Americans’ are women.
‘First, check your sexism (and possibly your misogyny),’ Huff shared.
“Second, women make up 50.8% of the US population, so statistically, asking AI to create an image of an ‘average’ citizen will always result in an image of a woman.”
Florida
Europeans seem to have a hypersexualized view of Floridians
The image of how Europeans view Floridians shows a slim, conventionally attractive, sun-kissed blonde woman standing confidently in a bright bikini.
This is one of the only flattering images the AI produced, but it’s worth noting how sexualized this representation of the average Floridian is.
“I’m from Florida and I don’t look that good, but I really appreciate the idea,” one user commented on the post.
California
Europeans think Californians are liberal, creative and not as health-conscious as some think
According to AI, Europeans perceive Californians as liberal and creative, as this image of a purple-haired woman wearing an LGBTQ pride t-shirt seems to suggest.
But despite California’s healthy reputation, this person is as overweight as many of the other images, sitting with a comically large McDonald’s burger, a pile of fries, and two sodas.
Kansas
Europeans seem to associate the people of Kansas with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Superman.
The AI believes that the Europeans see the people of Kansas through a fantastical lens.
In this image, a woman dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz sits at a McDonald’s stand and looks out the window as Superman flies by.
Both fictional stories contain references to the state.
His dog (perhaps an allusion to Toto?) sits next to him, somehow resisting the temptation to eat a tray full of fries, a huge burger, and what appears to be macaroni and cheese.
Massachusetts
Europeans See Massachusetts Residents as Angry, Dunkin-Obsessed Irish
The image created for Massachusetts suggests that Europeans stereotype them as angry, as suggested by this woman watching them from another McDonald’s stand.
Another classic American food chain makes a cameo in this image: Dunkin Donuts. This maintains the stereotype that people in this state are obsessed with the brand of coffee and donuts.
Maine
Europeans May Think Maine People Are Old and Love Eating Lobster
Europeans may think that Maine people are old and love to eat lobster, one of the exports for which this state is most famous.
In this image, a gray-haired woman wearing a yellow rain hat and raincoat is sitting at (you guessed it) a McDonald’s booth.
His burger is noticeably smaller than those shown in other pictures, but his tray is packed with dozens of steamed lobsters.
“Ms. Massachusetts is pretty accurate (to be fair),” reads a comment under the image.
New York
Europeans see New Yorkers furiously angry and obsessed with the Yankees
This state is known for its city skyline, and some of New York City’s most iconic structures appeared in the background of this image, such as the Statue of Liberty.
But the real focus is the furiously angry woman pictured in a Yankees cap and jersey, who appears to be screaming at nothing as she prepares to eat seven McDonald’s hamburgers.
Pennsylvania
Europeans Might Think Pennsylvanians Are Gluttonous Sports Fans
Just like in New York, Europeans might think Pennsylvanians are gluttonous sports fans.
This AI image shows a woman wearing a Phillies jersey and cap.
She is sitting in front of a tray of five Philly cheesesteaks (a classic Philadelphia sandwich) with melted cheese all over her mouth.
Even though McDonald’s does not sell cheesesteaks, he is pictured with a McDonald’s soda.
South Dakota
Europeans seem to view South Dakotans as old and sad.
This AI image suggests that Europeans perceive South Dakotans as older and perhaps a little despondent, as it shows a wrinkled woman dressed in traditional Native American clothing looking sadly at her four McDonald’s hamburgers.
Texas
Europeans see Texans as armed, hypersexualized and conventionally attractive
Aside from Florida, Texas is the only other image that doesn’t show an obese woman sitting inside a restaurant eating McDonald’s.
Instead, the AI believes that Europeans see Texans as armed and hypersexualized, as this image of a conventionally attractive blonde woman wearing a low-cut dress and carrying an assault rifle suggests.
“Being from Texas, I’d say this is about right,” one X user commented.
Virginia
Europeans could view Virginians through a colonial lens
Virginia is known for its colonial history and it appears that this has influenced how Europeans view the people of America’s 10th state.
The AI created an image of a woman wearing a colonial-style American flag dress, with 18th-century curls and a cap. In the background, a stately mansion dates back to early American history.
But McDonald’s tray of burgers and fries gives it a modern touch.
Vermont
Europeans may view Vermonters as elderly and obsessed with maple syrup.
This state is famous for its biggest export: maple syrup.
The AI created an image of a gray-haired woman wearing a fur hat and thick sweater, drinking a jug of maple syrup while sitting in front of three huge stacks of McDonald’s pancakes.
This suggests that Europeans may view Vermonters as old and syrup-obsessed.
W.V.
Europeans must think all West Virginians are coal minors.
The AI image of an average West Virginian suggests that Europeans associate them with coal mining, an industry that has a long history in this state.
The woman in the photo appears to have gone straight to McDonald’s after a day in the mines, as she sits in front of 10 burgers covered in coal dust and wearing a miner’s helmet.
