Emotions, attitudes, and challenges in the perception of artificial intelligence in social research

Abstract

This article delves into the seamless integration of emotions into AI systems and its potential to enhance human-machine interactions in the context of social research. Furthermore, it strives to contribute to the development of future AIs that excel in responsiveness, empathy, and intuitiveness in their interactions with humans, promising superior user experiences, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and entertainment. Ethical considerations, encompassing data privacy, bias mitigation, and transparency, are examined meticulously to ensure that AI is developed and employed responsibly in line with international guidelines. To address these aspects, our study encompassed 25 focus groups and 18 h of ethnographic field notes, involving sociologists, anthropologists, and psychologists who engaged in discussions regarding the intersection of emotions and AI. The outcomes revealed an overall negative and cautious attitude toward these technologies, marked by a multitude of concerns that pose substantial hurdles in integrating AI into social research. An additional noteworthy concern is the perception of AI as peripheral and non-essential in daily life. Participants regarded these technologies as superfluous and questioned their relevance in social research. Mitigating this perception may require effective communication to underscore the value and utility of AI in this context.