The Artificial Intelligence Paradox: Opportunity or Threat for Humanity?

Abstract

This study explores whether AI is perceived as a threat or an opportunity and examines whether the perception of AI varies according to demographic factors, religious commitment, trust in science, beliefs in conspiracy theories, and previous experiences with AI utilizing data collected from 1443 participants. While most respondents believe that AI will simplify life (63%), increase efficiency (62%), and therefore, the development of AI should be encouraged (51%), a significant portion of the respondents is concerned that AI will increase unemployment (52%) and lead to social inequalities (47%). Around 21% of the respondents believe that AI may destroy humanity eventually. Respondents’ age, gender, occupation, religious commitment, beliefs in conspiracy theories, and previous experiences with AI (familiarity) significantly influence respondents’ perception of AI both as an opportunity and threat. Findings suggest that AI is paradoxically seen as a double-edged sword, perceived both as an opportunity and a threat, which indicates a pronounced confusion about AI among respondents.

Keywords:

• Artificial intelligence
• social impacts
• opportunities
• threats

Acknowledgments

We thank all the volunteers who participated and distributed their social networks in this survey and engaged with the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest were declared by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work did not receive financial support from any organization. Data were collected through the authors’ social media networks.

Notes on contributors

Veysel Bozkurt

Veysel Bozkurt is a professor at Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics, Sub-Department of Economic Sociology. Email: [email protected]. His research interests include sociology of work and industry, post-industrial transformation, work values and attitudes, information and communication technologies and the social effects of artificial intelligence.

Dogan Gursoy

Dogan Gursoy is the Taco Bell-distinguished professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University and a senior research fellow at the University of Johannesburg. His area of research includes consumers’ attitudes and behaviors towards artificial intelligent devices, services management and consumer behavior.