This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The increasing penetration of artificial intelligence systems into every aspect of life has brought about not only technological but also sociological, psychological, and ethical implications. People are no longer merely using AI applications; they are also developing positive or negative emotional attachments to these systems. Sometimes admiration, sometimes fear, and sometimes deep mistrust. This article aims to analyze the social perception of AI technologies, the influence of media, and individual cognitive processes through a multi-layered perspective.
According to recent research at Marmara University, individuals’ emotional responses to artificial intelligence span a wide spectrum. Alongside positive emotions such as happiness, satisfaction, surprise, curiosity, and excitement, negative feelings like disappointment, fear, anger, and hopelessness are also frequently expressed. This phenomenon indicates that technology is perceived not merely as a tool but as an “interactive element” on mental and emotional levels.
When AI intervenes in human decision-making or operates autonomously, individuals often experience anxiety due to a sense of losing control. At the same time, these technologies are also seen as a source of hope in terms of fairness, efficiency, and impartiality. This duality points to a contradiction within the emotional context: individuals can simultaneously believe in the benefits of a system and perceive it as a threat.
Trust is one of the most critical psychological factors in the adoption of technological systems. Trust in AI is directly linked to the accuracy of algorithms, the transparency of systems, the level of explainability offered to users, and sensitivity to errors. However, in systems based on deep learning where the internal decision-making processes are incomprehensible to users, this trust is significantly undermined.
When the perception of algorithmic infallibility contradicts reality, individuals may experience both disillusionment and a systemic rupture. This situation can create risks not only at the individual level but also at the institutional level. The integration of AI systems into decision-making processes further deepens uncertainties regarding legal and ethical accountability.
The influence of media discourse on shaping public perception of artificial intelligence is undeniable. With the popularization of ChatGPT and similar advanced language models, media headlines frequently portray AI as “taking our jobs,” “posing a threat to humanity,” or “becoming uncontrollable.” These narratives reflect technology not through its actual potential but through a framework of fear and paranoia.
Such reports shape individuals’ reactions to technology and foster a negative emotional atmosphere. Academic studies have observed that these types of narratives, termed the “dystopian media effect,” have particularly pronounced impacts on individuals with low technological literacy.
The growing tendency to view AI not merely as an assistive tool but as a decision-maker or managerial actor has opened a new field of debate. Some individuals believe that an impartial, data-driven AI system could be more effective than existing political or institutional structures. However, this perspective may overlook the ethical problems arising when systems lacking human intuition, moral understanding, and empathy replace human decision-making processes. Increasing interest in AI for managerial processes also generates a new perception of “authority.” Replacing traditional authorities with algorithmic ones will present new challenges to individual freedoms and democratic participation.
Social and individual responses to AI point not only to technology but to much deeper questions about humanity itself. Emotions, perceptions, fears, and expectations are in fact multi-layered responses of the human mind to the unknown and loss of control. Understanding AI systems correctly requires not only technical skill but also ethical, psychological, and sociological awareness. In this context, understanding technology is fundamentally about understanding humanity.
Mapping Emotional Responses
Imbalance of Trust and Control
The Role of Media Discourse
Management, Ethics, and Perceptual Boundaries
