Beyond the Machine: An Integrative Framework of Anthropomorphism in AI.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• Social Psychology

Background:

• AI's increasing role necessitates understanding human-AI interaction dynamics.
• Existing models inadequately explain how anthropomorphism affects AI acceptance and resistance.
• Anthropomorphism is a key factor in user evaluation and adoption of AI systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a conceptual framework for AI anthropomorphism based on social perception dimensions.
• To clarify how warmth and competence attributions influence AI acceptance or rejection.
• To identify AI autonomy as a critical factor moderating anthropomorphism's effects.

Main Methods:

• Integration of existing research on anthropomorphism, technology acceptance, and threat rigidity.
• Development of a mid-range conceptual framework grounded in warmth and competence.
• Formulation of propositions and corollaries detailing the impact of anthropomorphic cues.

Main Results:

• AI anthropomorphism, driven by warmth and competence perceptions, shapes user cognitions.
• AI autonomy acts as a boundary condition, influencing whether anthropomorphism leads to acceptance or threat.
• The framework specifies conditions under which anthropomorphism fosters acceptance versus resistance.

Conclusions:

• A parsimonious, theoretically informed framework for AI anthropomorphism is presented.
• The framework guides future empirical research and AI design for human-AI ecosystems.
• Clarifies the dual role of anthropomorphism in human-AI interaction, promoting acceptance or resistance.