The influence of AI robot threats on right-wing authoritarianism and the mitigating role of human uniqueness

The social implications of powerful Artificially Intelligent (AI) robots, specifically regarding the potential loss of sense of control they bring about, remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the relationship between people’s perceptions of AI robots and their right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) through two studies (N = 2056, M_age=35.37, SD_age=10.85). Study 1 revealed that when participants were exposed to advanced (mindful) AI robots they reported heightened levels of threat perception. This perceived threat engendered a sentiment of control erosion. Consequently, individuals exhibited heightened support for RWA as a means to regain the sense of control. Although RWA is considered to have adaptive significance, it may also bring many negative social impacts. Study 2 found that accentuating human uniqueness can mitigate perceptions of threat and reinstate a sense of control. This strategy appeared efficacious in curbing RWA inclinations. The inexorable integration of AI robots into society underscores the urgency of comprehending their potential societal implications.