Files and links (1)
PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Dissertation
Morality and trust in AI vs. human mental health counselor adoption: an integrated model
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Apr 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010927
Abstract
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) depends on the level of trust individuals place in it. Trust is about positive expectations based on rational assessment, which we presume to be closely linked with human moral understanding. Complementing trust, distrust is about negative expectations based on emotional responses. A notable limitation of AI, as evidenced by recent press reports, is its inadequacy in understanding morality, raising questions about trusting AI. Morality is a fundamental prerequisite in many interactions, including emotional and legal dimensions, which is evident in contexts such as the provision of medical advice. Morality is also a notable distinction between humans and AI. Research has yet to examine the intertwined relationship between trust and morality within the framework of AI adoption. The study addresses this gap by examining two main opposing moral philosophies, namely, Nietzschean, which argues for the irrelevance of conventional morality, and Zoroastrian, as one specific philosophy that emphasizes it. The proposed model examines this issue in the context of adopting a Generative AI (GenAI) counselor compared to a virtual human counselor within similar mental health scenarios. Theoretical and practical contributions are discussed.
Metrics
41 File views/ downloads
30 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Morality and trust in AI vs. human mental health counselor adoption
- Creators
- Farnaz Ghashami
- Contributors
- David Gefen (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 187 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Decision Sciences (and Management Information Systems); Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022052539704721