Negative Emotions Towards Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace – Motivation and Method for Designing Demonstrators

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace can boost company productivity and reduce employee workload. Workers may especially benefit from higher workplace standards, such as fewer monotonous tasks and greater physical safety. Nevertheless, companies in the manufacturing sector in Germany see employee fears as one of the three main barriers to the use of AI. Against this backdrop, we present the results of a survey of manufacturing employees on their feelings about AI in the workplace. The results show that non-managerial employees in particular express negative feelings such as fear, insecurity, or concern about the use of AI in the workplace. In contrast managers have a positive attitude toward AI. According to the survey, the main reasons for negative feelings are loss of control over AI, fear of job loss, dependence on technology, and unreliability of technology. Finally, after considering approaches to address the feelings, a method for developing a demonstrator that addresses negative feelings related to AI in the workplace is proposed. The method includes a mixed methods approach, incorporating literature review and interviews. This approach aims to define the requirements for demonstrators in general and specifically in the context of AI in the workplace.