Deskilling as an effect of AI: A group of students’ attitudes towards AI and their worries about deskilling
2022 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This thesis aims to investigate some students of the tech- and psychology industry’s attitudes towards a potential AI use within their workfields and the differences between the two groups. Furthermore, the author investigates to what extent their attitudes change when they learn about and discuss the phenomenon of deskilling as an effect of AI, and what their opinions and worries are connected to deskilling. A qualitative case study is conducted in order to achieve these aims. Eight interviews are conducted with Uppsala University students, both of Information systems and of Psychology. The empirical material and its analysis is inspired by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) theory and previous research to understand the students’ attitudes toward AI within their work fields, and discuss deskilling as an effect of it. The intended contribution of this study is to increase the understanding and provide richer knowledge of attitudes and opinions regarding AI systems within two working fields, through two groups of students. The findings indicate that there are differences in attitudes both based on two types of AI: AI as support and AI as replacement, and between the two target groups. The findings indicate that the attitudes toward AI as a support system among these students were considered positive partly because of the efficiency it would imply using AI technology as a supportive tool and the areas of improvement it would entail in respective work fields. The attitudes toward AI as a replacement among these students were rather negative because of the lack of responsibility and accountability, reduced patient contact, and the deterioration of innovation. The attitudes between the two target groups differed regarding mainly ethical aspects. The study also indicated a shift in these student’ attitudes towards AI after dicussing deskilling; their attitudes became more negative. Finally, the findings are discussed with ethics and morals within the two professions, and ends with suggested future research connected to the topic.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022.
Keywords [en]
Artificial Intelligence, AI, Deskilling, Human development, Attitudes, Technology Acceptance Model, Ethics, Psychology, Information system, Qualitative study
National Category
Information Systems, Social aspects
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-480935OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-480935DiVA, id: diva2:1684401
Educational program
Master programme in Information Systems
Supervisors
Examiners
2022-08-012022-07-252022-08-01Bibliographically approved