Rage Against the Machine? Generative AI Use, Subjective Risk, and Policy Preferences
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2024-07-16
Author(s)
Abstract
Scholars interested in the effect of automation on policy preferences have commonly argued that (subjective) risk predicts demand for insurance. Generative AI potentially challenges this dynamic. Based on a pre-registered online experiment with a near-representative sample of 1,041 UK working-age adults we show that direct exposure to generative AI does not increase subjective risk and leads to more positive attitudes towards the technology. Despite this, treated respondents show greater support for progressive social policy and place themselves politically further left, indicating that sociotropic preferences dominate self-interest. Text analysis of an open-ended question shows thoughtful engagement with the implications of AI. This article provides a first big-picture investigation of the political implications of generative AI and outlines avenues for further research.
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
No
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Event Title
LCSSP Political Economy of AI Conference
Event Location
Caltech, Pasadena
Event Date
14.09.2024
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Rage Against the Machine_160724.pdf
Size
641.91 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
bee0ba3c10452a6664303f08936c450f