What phenomenon describes the tendency for people to attribute human-like characteristics to AI systems?

The phenomenon that describes the tendency for people to attribute human-like characteristics to AI systems is known as anthropomorphism. This concept refers to the inclination of humans to assign emotions, intentions, or behaviors typically associated with humans to non-human entities, including animals and in this case, artificial intelligence. In doing so, users may interact with AI systems in ways that reflect their understanding of human behavior, expecting them to respond similarly to people.

In contrast, augmented intelligence refers to the use of AI to enhance human capabilities, rather than replacing them. Conversational AI pertains to technology that enables machines to understand and respond to human language, while generative AI focuses on algorithms that can generate new content based on existing data. These concepts do not directly address the specific tendency to ascribe human attributes to AI, which is precisely what anthropomorphism captures. This understanding is essential for effectively interacting with AI technologies and integrating them into various applications.