Phys.org June 27, 2024
New analyses from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania perceptions of scientists’ credibility—measured as their competence, trustworthiness, and the extent to which they are perceived to share an individual’s values—remain high, but their perceived competence and trustworthiness eroded somewhat between 2023 and 2024. The research also found that public perceptions of scientists working in artificial intelligence (AI) differ from those of scientists. The five factors in FASS (Factors Assessing Science’s Self-Presentation model) are whether science and scientists are perceived to be credible and prudent, perceived to overcome bias, correct error (self-correcting), and their work benefits people and the country as a whole. The new research finds that while scientists are held in high regard, two of the three dimensions that make up credibility—perceptions of competence and trustworthiness—showed a small but statistically significant drop from 2023 to 2024, as did both measures of beneficial. The 2024 survey data also indicated that the public considers AI scientists less credible than scientists in general, with notably fewer people saying that AI scientists are competent and trustworthy and “share my values” than scientists generally… read more.
Most U.S. adults believe that scientific findings are beneficial, but fewer people felt that way in 2024…
Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Center.