BiasBreakers: An Interactive Chat-Based Game to Combat Workplace Bias

Inspiration

BiasBreakers was inspired by the need to empower individuals to recognize, challenge, and counteract workplace inequalities. This interactive game simulates real-life workplace scenarios, encouraging users to navigate issues such as pay disparity, microaggressions, and leadership bias. By presenting these situations in a safe and guided environment, BiasBreakers equips users with skills and confidence to handle these situations effectively, fostering empathy, allyship, and advocacy.

What it Does

BiasBreakers is a chat-based game that allows users to experience and respond to workplace biases. Users are presented with scenarios and multiple-choice options, and they receive feedback based on their choices. Each scenario focuses on different aspects of workplace inequality, allowing users to:

Recognize bias in common workplace scenarios like credit-taking, promotion bias, and pay gaps.
Respond to microaggressions and cultural insensitivity with a thoughtful approach.
Learn and practice allyship and advocacy, especially in male-dominated fields.

Example scenarios include:

Scenario 1: Addressing Internalized Sexism and Helping Women Become Better Allies
A woman frequently aligns herself with male colleagues and dismisses other women’s concerns about gender bias, reflecting internalized sexism. She downplays issues like gender inequality and workplace discrimination. The scenario focuses on how to engage her in a constructive conversation to help her understand the importance of being an ally to other women and promoting gender equality in the workplace.
Scenario 2: Reporting Sexual Harassment and Facing Potential Workplace Retaliation
A woman experiences sexual harassment in the workplace and considers reporting the issue to HR. She fears that speaking up might lead to retaliation, such as being passed over for promotions or being ostracized by colleagues. The scenario explores how she handles reporting the incident, navigating the company’s response, and dealing with potential backlash.

How We Built It

BiasBreakers was developed as a web-based game using Python, Flask, HTML, and CSS, and it is hosted on Google Cloud. The game uses a branching decision-making format, where user choices lead to different scenario outcomes, fostering active learning and engagement. Each scenario includes multiple-choice options and provides feedback designed to reflect real-life consequences and learning opportunities.

Challenges We Ran Into

Crafting realistic yet sensitive scenarios was challenging, as we wanted to avoid triggering users while ensuring authenticity. Another challenge was designing meaningful decision paths that didn’t oversimplify the issues. Through careful scenario design and a focus on inclusive representation, we aimed to make BiasBreakers impactful and approachable.

Accomplishments That We’re Proud Of

We’re proud to have built a tool that combines empathy-building with practical learning. BiasBreakers allows users to experience different workplace perspectives—whether as someone facing bias, a bystander, or a leader. This perspective-switching fosters a deeper understanding of workplace challenges and encourages users to make a positive difference. We’re also proud of creating a working website hosted on Google Cloud, where users can access the game seamlessly.

What We Learned

Through this project, we learned the importance of interactive design for social impact. We gained insights into creating engaging, branching scenarios and building web-based applications that combine both backend logic (using Python and Flask) and frontend design. Additionally, we explored ways to make complex social issues accessible through immersive experiences that educate users effectively.

What's Next for BiasBreakers

Our next steps for BiasBreakers include:

Adding More Scenarios: Expanding the range of scenarios to address a broader pool of experiences, including issues relevant to LGBTQ+ individuals, maternity leave challenges, and younger employees entering the workforce.
User Profiles and Performance Stats: Integrating database-supported user profiles where players can track their progress, earn certifications, and receive statistics on their performance in areas like inclusion and advocacy.
Voice Assistance: Implementing voice assistance to make BiasBreakers more accessible for vision-impaired users.
AI Chatbot: Developing an AI chatbot to provide real-time feedback, guidance, and additional insights tailored to users' choices.

Languages and Tools

Languages: Python, HTML, CSS
Frameworks: Flask
Hosting: Google Cloud

Built With

Submitted to

HackHers GSU
- Winner 2nd Place - Best Overall - Bluetooth Headset

Created by

As the lead developer for BiasBreakers, I took on both front-end and back-end development, building the core functionality using Python, HTML, and CSS. I structured the game’s interactive, decision-based logic in Python, making sure each choice led users down unique paths with relevant feedback. On the front end, I designed an engaging and intuitive chat-based interface using HTML and CSS, creating a smooth user experience. I also handled the cloud hosting, deploying the game on Google Cloud to ensure it’s reliably accessible for users as a fully functional web app.

Linn Erle Kloefta
I contributed to both the design and backend development of the website, using Figma for design and primarily Python for backend implementation.

Yateeka Goyal
i worked for helping at the scenarios with python, and this is my first time get into know how to use github to build the website page.

Jinying Xie
I helped in the development of the project from the early stages, contributing to brainstorming sessions and shaping the direction of our concept. I worked on creating the PowerPoint presentation, focusing on a clear, engaging design to effectively communicate our vision. Additionally, I contributed to building the HTML components, ensuring a user-friendly interface to support our interactive experience. My role spanned both conceptual development and hands-on tasks, helping to bring the project together cohesively

evelynyvy
I contributed to the design and presentation aspects. I focused on crafting a compelling presentation and elevator pitch to communicate our vision effectively. I was also involved in researching important statistics and market data to highlight the relevance of our project and its impact. By carefully selecting aspects that showcase our product’s uniqueness, I contributed to building a presentation that makes Bias Breakers stand out as a meaningful solution for workplace inclusivity.

Khushi Mishra