AI as a boss? A national US survey of predispositions governing comfort with expanded AI roles in society

People’s comfort with and acceptability of artificial intelligence (AI) instantiations is a topic that has received little systematic study. This is surprising given the topic’s relevance to the design, deployment and even regulation of AI systems. To help fill in our knowledge base, we conducted mi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AI & society 2022-12, Vol.37 (4), p.1587-1600
Main Authors: Mays, Kate K., Lei, Yiming, Giovanetti, Rebecca, Katz, James E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceptability
Agents (artificial intelligence)
Artificial Intelligence
Automation
Comfort
Communication
Computer Science
Control
Engineering Economics
Fear & phobias
Internet
Knowledge bases (artificial intelligence)
Logistics
Marketing
Mechatronics
Methodology of the Social Sciences
National security
Open Forum
Organization
Perceptions
Performing Arts
Qualitative analysis
Robot control
Robotics
Robots
Social factors
Society
Surveys
Technology
Technology Acceptance Model
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Summary:People’s comfort with and acceptability of artificial intelligence (AI) instantiations is a topic that has received little systematic study. This is surprising given the topic’s relevance to the design, deployment and even regulation of AI systems. To help fill in our knowledge base, we conducted mixed-methods analysis based on a survey of a representative sample of the US population ( N  = 2254). Results show that there are two distinct social dimensions to comfort with AI: as a peer and as a superior. For both dimensions, general and technological efficacy traits—locus of control, communication apprehension, robot phobia, and perceived technology competence—are strongly associated with acceptance of AI in various roles. Female and older respondents also were less comfortable with the idea of AI agents in various roles. A qualitative analysis of comments collected from respondents complemented our statistical approach. We conclude by exploring the implications of our research for AI acceptability in society.
ISSN:0951-5666
1435-5655
DOI:10.1007/s00146-021-01253-6