Successful introduction of artificial intelligence ultimately depends on humans’ beliefs and adoption behavior. The Psychology of AI lab is a group of interdisciplinary experts examining the human side of data and AI.
While research in information systems, computer science, and other disciplines focuses on the technical computations of algorithms and the output that they deliver, we focus on the humans who interpret and interact with AI and algorithmic advice.
We work with numerous stakeholders, such as employers, employees, customers, policy makers, and AI-developers and study a variety of topics, including: consumer acceptance of AI solutions, and of automated products; employee beliefs about technological replacement of human labor, and how analysts make sense of data and AI.
From an organizational perspective, data application projects and AI-driven innovations are only successful when they are positively received and correctly used by employers, employees and customers. Important psychological processes such as social comparison, attribution, need for uniqueness, and self-consciousness explain how individuals react to, and think about, intelligent machines. We conduct experiments with human participants and apply a behavioral science approach to AI
From a societal perspective, current forecasts show that significant sections of the labor force will disappear or change, due to the increasing ability of robots and algorithms to automate tasks. Regardless of whether this displacement will be transitional or permanent, it is important for the impact on society to understand potential threats to the psychological wellbeing of affected individuals. Our lab investigates the psychological consequences of technological replacement of human activities.
