Tsourgianni, Afroditi;
(2025)
The Human Perspective on Artificial Intelligence (AI): How do people perceive and relate to AI in the social sphere?
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This thesis explores how people perceive and make decisions with Artificial Intelligence (AI), using methods from psychology to map the perceptions and investigate the behaviours. Through eight studies, it provides empirical insights into the human perspective on AI. Chapter 2 (Studies 1 and 2) examines AI perception using three models: the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) (Fiske et al., 2002), the Mind Perception Dimensions (MPD) model (Gray et al., 2007), and the newly developed AI Stereotype Model (AISM). These models were evaluated across various AI agents, considering variations in design features, embodiment and intended purpose of use. The findings reveal that AI perception is not homogeneous; instead, distinct stereotypes emerge based on competence and experience—the two core dimensions of AISM. This model proved more effective than SCM and MPD in capturing AI perception. Chapter 3 (Studies 3 and 4) explores trust in AI based on three key determinants: performance, process, and purpose (Lee & See, 2004). Trust in AI was found to depend on how these factors were weighted, particularly in moral versus non-moral decisions. In moral decisions, trust was shaped by the AI’s moral stance (‘why’ it decides), whereas in non-moral decisions, trust was driven by the AI’s decision-making process (‘how’ it decides), with detailed explanations fostering greater trust. Chapter 4 (Studies 5–8) investigates how people respond to AI-generated versus human advice. Findings confirmed that people are more likely to trust AI than humans when decisions are perceived as objective (Studies 5 and 6). Studies 7 and 8 extended this research by examining AI’s role in validating subjective preferences-based decisions. Results indicate that people value validation similarly, whether from AI or human advisors. Collectively, these findings provide a nuanced understanding of AI perception, trust, and decision-making.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | The Human Perspective on Artificial Intelligence (AI): How do people perceive and relate to AI in the social sphere? |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Experimental Psychology UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10210891 |
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