Public Acceptance of AI Robots: A Power Distance Perspective and Contributory Factors

Abstract

This study investigates public acceptance of AI robots in professional service sectors, focusing on the power distance between service providers and receivers, and the factors influencing such acceptance. Utilizing a nationwide survey in Taiwan, we examine attitudes towards robotic civil servants, physicians, and police officers. The findings reveal a discrepancy in acceptance levels, with robotic civil servants garnering the highest acceptance, followed by physicians, and then police officers. This pattern contradicts the traditional power distance observed in human interactions within these professions, suggesting that a high perceived human-computer power distance, coupled with risk aversion stemming from the "black box" nature of AI, hinders acceptance in high-stakes fields like healthcare and law enforcement. Regression analysis further identifies perceived social value of technology, familiarity with technology, and, surprisingly, technology skepticism as positive contributors to AI robot acceptance. These findings offer valuable insights for organizations and policymakers navigating the complexities of AI integration in public services, emphasizing the need to address public concerns about power dynamics, risk, and the ethical implications of AI to foster trust and ensure responsible adoption.