The Mediating Effect of Dark Future between Personality Traits and Fear of Artificial Intelligence in Arab Young Adults

Abstract

Background Fear of Autonomous Robots and Artificial Intelligence is a novel concept introduced to measure how fearful individuals are about Artificial Intelligence and autonomous robots. This study aimed to measure the mediating effect of dark future, a measure of future anxiety, between personality traits and Fear of Autonomous Robots and Artificial Intelligence. Methods Using the snowball sampling technique, participants (n = 1839) were Arab adults who completed the Fear of Autonomous Robots and Artificial Intelligence Scale, Arabic Big Five Personality Inventory, and the Dark Future Scale. Results The results of the mediation analysis showed that dark future mediated the association between extroversion/neuroticism/agreeableness and fear of Artificial Intelligence. Higher extroversion was significantly associated with less dark future, whereas more dark future was significantly associated with higher Fear of Autonomous Robots and Artificial Intelligence (FARAI) scores. Extroversion was not directly associated with FARAI scores. Higher neuroticism and agreeableness were significantly associated with more dark future, whereas more dark future was significantly associated with higher FARAI scores. Neuroticism and agreeableness were significantly directly associated with higher FARAI scores. Conclusion This study suggests that the relationship between certain personality traits and Fear of Autonomous Robots and Artificial Intelligence can be explained by evaluating one’s Dark Future. This shall help improve research on attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence and also have clinical implications in treating cases of Artificial Intelligence fear.

The relationship between optimism-pessimism and fear of Artificial Intelligence in young adults from four Arab countries: The mediating effect of seeing a dark future

“…Henceforth, taking into account this looming uncertainty regarding the effects of AI on our future, it is not hard to understand how individuals having elevated levels of future anxiety are more likely to struggle when it comes to accepting this technology, and are therefore more likely to have a negative view of the topic altogether, driven by a fear of upcoming change. This idea is supplemented by a previously mentioned study, conducted on 1839 Arab adults, which suggested that dark future may play an important role in exaggerating the fear felt by a big majority, concerning arti cial intelligence 9 . Moreover, since arti cial intelligence is perceived as a threat, it has been explained in the neuroscience journal how exactly our amygdala responds to this uncertainty, being an emotion that is deeply rooted in innate human mechanisms 42 .…”

“…In this context, the present study focuses on the relationship between optimism -pessimism and fear of AI. 9 Association between Optimism -Pessimism and Fear of AI Personality traits 9 , including being optimistic or pessimistic 10 , have been suggested as potential factors that could potentially dissect the main causes of distress emanating from the rapidly evolving AI technology. Optimism and pessimism are two perspectives that signi cantly in uence one's view towards the future 11 .…”

“…Through a study conducted on the Arab population, results showed how fear of a dark future directly mediated the association between negative emotions and an increasing fear of AI. 9 It thus becomes clear through numerous studies, that optimism, pessimism, dark future, and fear of arti cial intelligence are all interrelated. It has also already been established how pessimism is a main component affecting fear in the rapidly rising digital world 19 .…”