The impact of labeling automotive AI as trustworthy or reliable on user evaluation and technology acceptance

Dorsch, John; Deroy, Ophelia (2025): The impact of labeling automotive AI as trustworthy or reliable on user evaluation and technology acceptance. Scientific Reports, 15: 1481. ISSN 2045-2322

Abstract

This study explores whether labeling AI as either “trustworthy” or “reliable” influences user perceptions and acceptance of automotive AI technologies. Utilizing a one-way between-subjects design, the research presented online participants (N = 478) with a text presenting guidelines for either trustworthy or reliable AI, before asking them to evaluate 3 vignette scenarios and fill in a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model which covers different variables, such as perceived ease of use, human-like trust, and overall attitude. While labeling AI as “trustworthy” did not significantly influence people’s judgements on specific scenarios, it increased perceived ease of use and human-like trust, namely benevolence, suggesting a facilitating influence on usability and an anthropomorphic effect on user perceptions. The study provides insights into how specific labels affect adopting certain perceptions of AI technology.

• Doc-Type: Article (LMU)
• Organisational unit (Faculties): 10 Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science
• DFG subject classification of scientific disciplines: Humanities and social sciences
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 491502892