DYNAMICS OF THE STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL CHANGE

The aim of the research is to study the dynamics of the structure of social representations of artificial intelligence (AI) among non-professionals. 258 students of different faculties aged from 18 to 24 took part in this study. The study took place in two stages: 1) November 2021, 2) March 2022. To identify the structure of the social perception of AI, the Vergès method was used based on the material of free associations. At the second stage, the level of respondents’ concern about the events of recent weeks in the economic and political spheres was additionally monitored. It was found that elements related to expectations of AI capabilities have strengthened the central core of the representation. Words with a connotation of danger appear in the periphery elements. Probably it is caused by both the activities of communication agents and the context of disturbing social changes. Against this background, it is important to enrich the knowledge of AI among ordinary people in order to form an adequate level of trust and distrust of recommendations based on it.