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The impact of learning about AI advancements on trust

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  • Nikolova, Milena
  • Angrisani, Marco

Abstract

We study how exposure to news about AI affects trust, compared to news about non-AI scientific progress, based on a survey experiment within a nationally representative panel in the United States (N = 1491). The results show that people trust AI advancements less than non-AI scientific developments, with significant variations across domains. The trust gap between AI and non-AI advancements is the smallest in medicine, a high-stakes domain, and largest in the area of personal relationships. The key mediators are context-specific: fear is the most critical mediator for linguistics, excitement for medicine, and societal benefit for dating. Personality traits do not affect trust differences in the linguistics domain. In medicine, mistrust of AI is higher among respondents with high agreeableness and neuroticism scores. In personal relationships, mistrust of AI is strongest among individuals with high openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. Furthermore, mistrust of AI advancements is higher among women than men, as well as among older, White, and US-born individuals. Our results have implications for tailored communication strategies about AI advancements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikolova, Milena & Angrisani, Marco, 2025. "The impact of learning about AI advancements on trust," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:83:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001484
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102958
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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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