In this episode I delve into the human tendency to anthropomorphize AI models and the potential risks associated with this behaviour. We explore why beetles mistake beer bottles for mates, why Hollywood robots tend to be androids and why we are inclined to see AI as sentient. I conclude with a call to educators to equip our students with the digital literacy skills needed to safely navigate the complexities of AI interactions.

Anthropomorphism Research by Canfer Akbulut: https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/AIES/article/view/31613/33780

CASA Research by Nass, Steuer & Tauber: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221517042_Computer_are_social_actors

00:00 Introduction: Humanizing AI

00:26 The Beetle and the Bottle: A Curious Case

01:47 Hollywood's Influence on AI Perception

03:26 Clippy and the Tamagotchi effect

05:58 The CASA Paradigm: Computers as Social Actors

11:10 The Risks of Anthropomorphizing AI

16:28 Educational Imperatives: Teaching AI Literacy

20:21 Conclusion: Navigating the AI Landscape