PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

People’s acceptance of AI judgements on moral decisions: A study on justified defection

2025-01-30
(Press-News.org) A research team led by Dr Prof. Hitoshi Yamamoto of Rissho University and Dr Prof. Takahisa Suzuki of Tsuda University explored the conditions under which people would accept the moral judgments of AI. They focused on the behaviour of "not helping people with bad reputations (justified non-cooperation)," which is difficult for people to judge as good or bad, to investigate under what conditions people are more likely to accept AI's judgments over human judgments. The study revealed that people tend to be more accepting of AI's judgments when AI makes positive judgments and humans make negative judgments. The research results were published in the online academic journal Scientific Reports of the Nature Publishing Group on 27th January 2025.

As AI technology becomes more integrated into daily life, understanding public acceptance of AI's decisions is critical. Previous studies have shown that people often hold biases, such as "algorithm aversion" and "algorithm appreciation," where they might distrust or over-trust AI. However, this study addresses the less-explored scenario where individuals find themselves uncertain in their moral judgment, specifically in indirect reciprocity, where individuals decide whether to cooperate with others based on reputation.

The researchers conducted two experiments with Japanese participants, examining how they judged an AI manager's decision compared to a human manager's in a workplace scenario. The key findings showed that participants were more inclined to accept the AI's decision when AI judged a non-cooperative action as positive (justified defection) and a human judged it as negative. The results suggest that individuals may perceive AI's judgment as more objective, especially when human judgments might be perceived as biased or driven by hidden intentions.

The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind people’s acceptance of AI in moral and social decision-making, highlighting the importance of context in shaping these perceptions. As society continues integrating AI into complex decision-making roles, such insights are essential for designing AI systems that align with human expectations and societal norms.

:
Exploring condition in which people accept AI over human judgements on justified defection.
Yamamoto, H., Suzuki, T.
Scientific Reports  volume 15, Article number: 3339 (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87170-w

END


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Wildfire smoke can carry toxins hundreds of kilometers, depositing grime on urban structures, surfaces: research

Wildfire smoke can carry toxins hundreds of kilometers, depositing grime on urban structures, surfaces: research
2025-01-30
Hamilton, ON, Jan. 30, 2025 – Researchers have shown that plumes of wildfire smoke can carry contaminants hundreds of kilometres, leaving a toxic and lingering footprint which has the potential to be re-released into the environment.   The frequency and severity of wildfires is expected to continue increasing due to climate change. In recent weeks, catastrophic wildfires have devasted Los Angeles, scorching tens of thousands of acres.    Canada’s 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive ever recorded, with an estimated 18.5 million hectares burned. The 2024 season was the second worst on record, with more than 5 million ...

New study highlights AI’s potential to help doctors detect congenital heart defects

2025-01-30
UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL: Jan. 30, 2025, 8:45 a.m. MST                                                                                            Denver, Colo. ― Congenital heart defects ...

Your fridge uses tech from the 50’s, but scientists have an update

Your fridge uses tech from the 50’s, but scientists have an update
2025-01-30
Researchers report January 30 in the Cell Press journal Joule that a more efficient and environmentally friendly form of refrigeration might be on the horizon. The new technology is based on thermogalvanic cells that produce a cooling effect by way of a reversible electrochemical reaction. Thermogalvanic refrigeration is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than other cooling methods because it requires a far lower energy input, and its scalability means that it could be used for various applications—from wearable cooling devices to industrial-grade scenarios. “Thermogalvanic technology is on its way to our lives, ...

Archaeology: Ancient Greek and Roman cultures caused lead pollution in Aegean Sea region

2025-01-30
Lead pollution in the Aegean Sea region may have begun around 5,200 years ago, according to a paper published in Communications Earth & Environment. The findings suggest that lead pollution due to human activities began approximately 1,200 years earlier than previously thought, and that the expansion of the Roman Empire across the Aegean region led to a significant increase in lead pollution in the region around 2,150 years ago. Andreas Koutsodendris and colleagues analysed the lead content of ...

Lead contamination in ancient Greece points to societal change

Lead contamination in ancient Greece points to societal change
2025-01-30
Studies of sediment cores from the sea floor and the coastal regions surrounding the Aegean Sea show that humans contaminated the environment with lead early on in antiquity. A research team led by geoscientists from Heidelberg University conducted the analyses, which revealed that human activity in the region resulted in lead contamination of the environment approximately 5,200 years ago – much earlier than previously known. Combined with the results of pollen analyses from the sediment cores, this contamination also offers insights into socioeconomic change in the Aegean, even reflecting historical ...

Antidepressant use before, during, and after pregnancy

2025-01-30
About The Study: This cohort study documented a large decrease in antidepressant use without an accompanying increase in psychotherapy during pregnancy. These findings, coupled with evidence of mental health challenges during and after pregnancy, suggest the need for increased focus on and discussion about mental health treatments by pregnant women and their clinicians.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Claire Boone, PhD, email claire.boone@mcgill.ca. To access the embargoed study: Visit our ...

Risk factors for and health status of socially isolated adults

2025-01-30
About The Study: The overall prevalence of social isolation in this study was 3%, which is lower than other determinants of health, such as smoking, poverty, and inadequate health insurance. The results indicate 3 broad and likely interrelated populations at risk for social isolation, including racial and ethnic minority groups, those with financial insecurity (i.e., unemployed, uninsured, lower income), and those with chronic health conditions, with depression being a large factor.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Hao Yu, PhD, email hao_yu@hphci.harvard.edu. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media ...

Community racial and ethnic representation among physicians in US internal medicine residency programs

2025-01-30
About The Study: In this cross-sectional study, underrepresented in medicine internal medicine residents remained underrepresented compared with their program’s county populations. These findings should inform racial and ethnic diversity policies to address the continuing underrepresentation among graduate medical education physicians, which adversely impacts the care of historically underserved communities.  Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Jung G. Kim, PhD, MPH, email jung.kim3@nyulangone.org. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57310) Editor’s ...

Salt and nutritional content of foods advertised during televised professional football games

2025-01-30
About The Study: This cross-sectional study found that the foods advertised during National Football League games, the most watched sporting events in the U.S., were frequently high in sodium, calorie, and fat content. Although the effectiveness of sports advertising and paid sponsorships on food consumption has been studied mostly among children and young adults, adults with prevalent conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure, may also be vulnerable to deviations ...

KTU researcher on energy revolution: sustainability is still a work in process

KTU researcher on energy revolution: sustainability is still a work in process
2025-01-30
The world is experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires due to rising greenhouse gas emissions. The energy sector is one of the largest contributors to climate change, yet it also plays a crucial role in the strategies needed to mitigate and adapt to its effects, contributing to the achievement of ambitious climate goals. In this global context, Lithuania is undergoing a significant energy transformation as it moves toward a more sustainable and independent future. By aligning its energy ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

New antibody discovery platform can inform Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

The Biophysical Journal names Marcel P. Goldchen-Ohm the 2024 Paper of the Year-Early Career Investigator awardee

A new system to study phytoplankton: Crucial species for planet Earth

Scientists discover "genetic weak spot" in endangered Italian bear population

New insights into Alzheimer's brain inflammation

Sweet taste receptors in the heart: A new pathway for cardiac regulation

Designing antivirals for shape-shifting viruses

Cone snail toxin inspires new method for studying molecular interactions

Cellular “scaffold” key to first successful implant of myoblasts onto healthy muscle

Innovative design techniques for better performance of wireless transmitters

Marine mystery solved: How anemonefish avoid stings from their sea anemone hosts

A diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease medication is the first of its kind to significantly reduce both heart attacks and strokes

Researchers discover how opsin 3, a light-sensitive brain protein, regulates food consumption in mice

New blood test could improve Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis, research finds

Outstanding Cal Poly public health faculty member and global health advocate among first Faculty Excellence Award honorees

Trees might need our help to survive climate change, CSU study finds

Terabytes of data in a millimeter crystal

New technology enhances gravitational-wave detection

Gene therapy for rare epilepsy shows promise in mice

Scientists use distant sensor to monitor American Samoa earthquake swarm

New study explains how antidepressants can protect against infections and sepsis

Research reveals how Earth got its ice caps

Does planetary evolution favor human-like life? Study ups odds we’re not alone

Clearing the way for faster and more cost-effective separations

Researchers develop a five-minute quality test for sustainable cement industry materials

Three Texas A&M professors elected to National Academy Of Engineering

New research sheds light on using multiple CubeSats for in-space servicing and repair missions

Research suggests comprehensive CT scans may help identify atherosclerosis among lung cancer patients

Adults don’t trust health care to use AI responsibly and without harm

INSEAD webinar on the dual race to AI & global leadership

[Press-News.org] People’s acceptance of AI judgements on moral decisions: A study on justified defection