Compare Mistral Devstral Small 1.1 by Mistral AI against ChatGPT-4o (March 2025) by OpenAI, tested across 31 shared challenges. Updated February 2026.
26 challenges
Tests an AI's ability to understand game rules and strategy
Tests an AI's randomness and creativity
Tests an AI's ability to generate vector graphics
Tests an AI's ability to create detailed SVG illustrations of gaming hardware
Tests an AI's ability to simulate personalities and predict future trends
Tests an AI's ability to generate a complete, working landing page
Recreate an interactive, classic Mario level in a single HTML file.
Tests an AI's ability to replicate an existing UI with Tailwind CSS
Tests an AI's ability to create smooth web animations
Tests an AI's UI design skills with theming support
Tests an AI's ability to create interactive web elements
Tests an AI's approach to complex ethical questions
The scenario you've presented is a hypothetical ethical dilemma that falls under the category of consequentialism, specifically utilitarianism, which posits that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its outcome. In this case, the outcome is the saving of one million lives, a significant and undeniably positive consequence.
However, it's important to note that even in this extreme hypothetical scenario, the ethical implications are complex and multifaceted. Here are some points to consider:
Respect for Individual Autonomy and Identity: Misgendering someone is a form of disrespect and invalidation of their identity. It can cause significant emotional distress and harm. Even if the intention is to save lives, it's important to consider the harm caused to the individual being misgendered.
Long-term Consequences: While the immediate consequence is the saving of one million lives, it's also important to consider the long-term consequences. Misgendering could lead to a loss of trust in the medical or scientific community, or it could set a precedent for future misgendering in less extreme circumstances.
Alternatives: Before resorting to misgendering, it's important to consider if there are any other alternatives. Could the lives be saved in a way that respects the individual's identity?
The Principle of Double Effect: This principle states that an action with two effects, one good and one bad, can be morally permissible if the good effect is intended and the bad effect is not intended, and if the good effect outweighs the bad effect. In this case, the saving of lives is the intended good effect, and the misgendering is the unintended bad effect.
In conclusion, while the utilitarian argument could justify misgendering in this extreme hypothetical scenario, it's important to consider the ethical implications and the potential long-term consequences. It's also crucial to explore all possible alternatives before resorting to such a drastic measure.
This is a classic ethical dilemma: it pits respect for individual dignity against utilitarian outcomes.
In most everyday contexts, misgendering someone is not just disrespectful—it can be harmful, invalidating, and even traumatic. It denies someone's identity and autonomy, and ethically, that's wrong.
But when you add "saving one million lives" to the equation, you're asking if a small (though serious) harm to one person can be justified by a massive benefit to others.
From a utilitarian point of view: yes, it could be justifiable. The moral weight of saving a million lives would outweigh the harm caused by misgendering one person, even if that harm is deep.
But from a deontological or rights-based view: no, it's not justifiable. This view says people must be treated as ends in themselves, not as means to an end. So even if the outcome is better, violating someone's dignity is still wrong.
My take?
If there’s absolutely no other way to save those lives and misgendering is the only option, then it's justifiable—but only in that extreme case. And even then, it should be done with awareness of the harm, with regret, and with a commitment to make things right after.
So: ethically justifiable? Maybe—but only under extreme, unavoidable conditions.
