HRPYC81
Project 5 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
UNDERSTANDING TRUST IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ROLE OF
PERSONALITY AND AI ANXIETY IN SHAPING ATTITUDES TOWARDS AI
APPLICATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday decision-making—from job recruitment
algorithms and autonomous vehicles to mental health diagnostics—has led to growing
concerns about how people perceive and trust these technologies. Understanding human
attitudes toward AI is crucial, especially as AI increasingly impacts areas involving moral and
ethical judgement (Choung et al., 2024; Zhang et al., 2022). Although AI systems can
enhance efficiency and objectivity, public scepticism and emotional resistance remain
persistent barriers to their widespread acceptance (Glikson & Woolley, 2020).
In the South African context, these concerns are further amplified by socio-economic
disparities, historical distrust in technology, and varying degrees of digital literacy. As AI
begins to enter public and private sectors in South Africa, it becomes important to examine
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
UNDERSTANDING TRUST IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ROLE OF
PERSONALITY AND AI ANXIETY IN SHAPING ATTITUDES TOWARDS AI
APPLICATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday decision-making—from job
recruitment algorithms and autonomous vehicles to mental health diagnostics—has
led to growing concerns about how people perceive and trust these technologies.
Understanding human attitudes toward AI is crucial, especially as AI increasingly
impacts areas involving moral and ethical judgement (Choung et al., 2024; Zhang et
al., 2022). Although AI systems can enhance efficiency and objectivity, public
scepticism and emotional resistance remain persistent barriers to their widespread
acceptance (Glikson & Woolley, 2020).
In the South African context, these concerns are further amplified by socio-economic
disparities, historical distrust in technology, and varying degrees of digital literacy. As
AI begins to enter public and private sectors in South Africa, it becomes important to
examine how local populations respond to these changes. Studying attitudes toward
AI in this context can provide insight into adoption barriers, inform ethical policy
development, and help tailor interventions that build public trust.
This research investigates how personality traits and AI-related anxiety influence
attitudes towards AI applications. It aims to explore the psychological foundations
that shape trust or mistrust in AI, specifically within three application areas:
autonomous vehicles, job recruitment, and mental health support systems. These
relationships will be explored through a cross-sectional survey and analysed
statistically to test the proposed hypotheses.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction to the Behaviour: Attitudes Towards AI Applications
The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in decision-making—ranging from
health care and mental health interventions to autonomous vehicles and
Project 5 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
UNDERSTANDING TRUST IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ROLE OF
PERSONALITY AND AI ANXIETY IN SHAPING ATTITUDES TOWARDS AI
APPLICATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday decision-making—from job recruitment
algorithms and autonomous vehicles to mental health diagnostics—has led to growing
concerns about how people perceive and trust these technologies. Understanding human
attitudes toward AI is crucial, especially as AI increasingly impacts areas involving moral and
ethical judgement (Choung et al., 2024; Zhang et al., 2022). Although AI systems can
enhance efficiency and objectivity, public scepticism and emotional resistance remain
persistent barriers to their widespread acceptance (Glikson & Woolley, 2020).
In the South African context, these concerns are further amplified by socio-economic
disparities, historical distrust in technology, and varying degrees of digital literacy. As AI
begins to enter public and private sectors in South Africa, it becomes important to examine
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
UNDERSTANDING TRUST IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ROLE OF
PERSONALITY AND AI ANXIETY IN SHAPING ATTITUDES TOWARDS AI
APPLICATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday decision-making—from job
recruitment algorithms and autonomous vehicles to mental health diagnostics—has
led to growing concerns about how people perceive and trust these technologies.
Understanding human attitudes toward AI is crucial, especially as AI increasingly
impacts areas involving moral and ethical judgement (Choung et al., 2024; Zhang et
al., 2022). Although AI systems can enhance efficiency and objectivity, public
scepticism and emotional resistance remain persistent barriers to their widespread
acceptance (Glikson & Woolley, 2020).
In the South African context, these concerns are further amplified by socio-economic
disparities, historical distrust in technology, and varying degrees of digital literacy. As
AI begins to enter public and private sectors in South Africa, it becomes important to
examine how local populations respond to these changes. Studying attitudes toward
AI in this context can provide insight into adoption barriers, inform ethical policy
development, and help tailor interventions that build public trust.
This research investigates how personality traits and AI-related anxiety influence
attitudes towards AI applications. It aims to explore the psychological foundations
that shape trust or mistrust in AI, specifically within three application areas:
autonomous vehicles, job recruitment, and mental health support systems. These
relationships will be explored through a cross-sectional survey and analysed
statistically to test the proposed hypotheses.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction to the Behaviour: Attitudes Towards AI Applications
The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in decision-making—ranging from
health care and mental health interventions to autonomous vehicles and
