Deutsch Intern
Medienpsychologie

CHAT - Comprehending Human-AI Interaction

AI and Communication: Opportunities and Risks

“How can I write this email even better?”,

“Which laundry detergent should I buy?”,

or “Do I have test anxiety?”

Conversations that used to be possible only with people are now conducted with AI-based chatbots like ChatGPT. These mimic human interaction so convincingly that one could almost forget that we’re communicating with a machine rather than a human being.

Research since the 1990s has shown that people react to technologies in much the same way as they do to other people—despite knowing that they’re dealing with machines. Initially, research focused on interactions with desktop PCs; later, it expanded to include smartphones and voice assistants. This can lead to ill-considered behavior, such as disclosing sensitive data or uncritically following recommendations. Whether these phenomena also manifest in AI-based technologies—and AI chatbots in particular—and what consequences they entail are the central questions of C.H.A.T.

Our project, supported by the DATEV Foundation, explores the interaction between humans and AI from a psychological perspective and analyzes human thought, emotion, and behavior in the context of using AI-based technologies, particularly chatbots. Building on these findings, we are developing learning environments to educate users about the psychological mechanisms of AI use and to protect them from the risks of careless use.

 

 

Milestones

  1. Analysis: Scientific studies on the use of AI-based chatbots with the goal of identifying the psychological mechanisms underlying human-AI interactions.
  2. Empowerment: Development of learning programs that enable users to reflect on their own usage habits and reactions to AI technologies and to recognize potential entry points for behavioral manipulation, to use AI with greater confidence.
  3. Knowledge Transfer: Communicating study results and learning programs through scientific publications, media outreach, and a dedicated online platform.

 

 

Goals and Mission

  •            Scientific standards: Empirical research as the foundation for practical solutions.
  •            Practical Relevance: Transfer and adaptation to the requirements of diverse contexts and target groups (the workplace, education, IT security).
  •            AI Competencies: Promoting a reflective, critical, and confident approach to AI-based technologies.
  •            Social Value: Protection against manipulation, strengthening self-determined individual use, and safeguarding democracy.