Exploring key categories of social perception and moral responsibility of AI-based agents at work: Findings from a case study in an industrial setting

What is it about?

This qualitative study is concerned with workers in an industrial setting, who are performing a decision-making task together with an AI-agent possessing. Based on the model of responsibility in Hybrid Societies we show that workers assign distinct capacities of social perception and moral responsibility to their AI-based counterpart. We present first evidence that theoretically derived models of social perception and moral responsibility are applicable in industrial settings.

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Why is it important?

our study provides some relevant insights into the human parts’ social perception in human-AI systems related to a specific case which we described in detail throughout the manuscript. The proliferation of AI systems is likely to fundamentally change job characteristics and employment patterns. For instance, using AI systems will change how workers perceive their job and their motivation to cooperate with such systems. Both aspects are closely linked to the social perception of AI systems in that way that negative attributions might lead to unwanted side effects. In contrast, positive social perception offers the opportunity to promote technology acceptance and workers' motivation in the long run. The focus on the social perception of such technologies is highly relevant to ensure appropriate design and usage. However, research on these specific aspects is still scarce and further clarification is needed.