TL;DR:
- New research explores how fulfilling basic psychological needs through technology usage affects attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI).
- The study reveals that self-determination, particularly feelings of competence and relatedness, plays a crucial role in shaping both positive and negative attitudes toward AI.
- The Emerging Technologies Lab at Tampere University leads the research, focusing on the dynamic interplay between human and post-human living through AI in society.
- Participants from various countries were surveyed, and their attitudes toward AI were assessed using positive and negative statements.
- Results indicate that when people feel competent in using technology and connected to others through technology, they tend to have more positive attitudes toward AI.
- Autonomy was particularly associated with AI positivity in Finland, likely influenced by the country’s high digitalization and technological exposure.
- Data from Finnish respondents over time demonstrated that fulfilling autonomy and relatedness needs led to increased positive attitudes and reduced negative attitudes toward AI.
Main AI News:
In the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront, increasingly prevalent and accessible in our lives. As AI’s presence expands, the attitudes people hold toward this cutting-edge technology are poised to play a pivotal role in its societal integration and overall trajectory. A groundbreaking study, recently published in Telematics and Informatics, has shed light on the influence of fulfilling basic psychological needs through technology use on people’s attitudes towards AI over time. Spearheaded by Jenna Bergdahl, a distinguished researcher at the Emerging Technologies Lab within Tampere University, this research illuminates the pivotal role that self-determination, particularly feelings of competence and relatedness, plays in shaping both negative and positive perceptions of AI’s emergence.
With an ardent focus on novel technological landscapes that continually challenge and redefine the human experience, the Emerging Technologies Lab at Tampere University has been diligently exploring artificial intelligence in society. Under the banners of UrbanAI and Self & Technology, two pioneering projects, the lab conducts cross-national social psychological research, probing the dynamic interplay between humanity and technology.
At the heart of this groundbreaking study lies a significant research gap that the Emerging Technologies Lab sought to bridge. The investigation marks the first-ever exploration of the associations between basic psychological needs and attitudes toward AI. Moreover, it addresses the dearth of cross-national and longitudinal research during a crucial period when AI’s significance burgeons across all facets of life.
The researchers embarked on a two-pronged approach to discern how individuals’ attitudes toward AI are influenced by their basic psychological needs and experiences with technology. In the initial study, a diverse cohort of 8,806 participants hailing from Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Poland offered their insights on AI through a comprehensive survey. By employing a scale encompassing both positive and negative statements, the researchers gauged the participants’ attitudes toward AI. Statements like “much of society will benefit from a future full of Artificial Intelligence” and “I think Artificial Intelligence is dangerous” were presented for participants to rate their agreement or disagreement. The researchers separately measured both positive and negative attitudes toward AI.
The study also delved into the participants’ use of various smart technologies, including smart robots, virtual assistants, and wearable smart devices. Alongside this, the researchers assessed three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy (feeling in control of their actions), competence (feeling capable of using technology effectively), and relatedness (feeling connected to others through technology).
The results of the initial study underscored a significant correlation between feelings of competence in using technology and a sense of relatedness with others through technology and more positive attitudes toward AI. Similarly, when participants’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs were met, their negative attitudes toward AI diminished.
Of particular interest, the researchers observed that the relationship between these psychological needs and attitudes towards AI exhibited slight variations based on the country’s context and participants’ exposure to technology. Autonomy, for instance, surfaced as a contributing factor to AI positivity solely among Finnish participants. This observation likely emanates from Finland’s notable digitalization and digital performance within Europe, fostering a positive relationship with AI due to increased exposure to technology and greater autonomy in interacting with new technology and AI.
In the second phase of the research, data collected from Finnish respondents over two waves, spanning approximately one year (2021-2022), were analyzed to discern changes in their attitudes towards AI over time. The findings demonstrated that the fulfillment of individuals’ needs for autonomy and relatedness resulted in a notable increase in positive attitudes toward AI and a concurrent decrease in negative attitudes.
The conclusions drawn from this profound research underscore the pivotal role of self-determination in shaping both negative and positive attitudes toward AI. Fulfilling basic psychological needs, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, can significantly influence the acceptance of AI, thereby affecting its adoption and rapid advancement in various applications.
Conclusion:
The research highlights the significance of fulfilling psychological needs in shaping attitudes towards AI, providing valuable insights for the market. Businesses should prioritize user experience, offering technology that enhances competence and fosters connections with others to drive widespread acceptance and successful integration of AI in various applications. Understanding and catering to psychological needs will be a key determinant of AI’s adoption and market penetration.
