Influence, overreliance and dependence (overreliance)

Regulating under Uncertainty: Governance Options for Generative AI

G'sell (2024)

Source DOI

Sub-category

Risk Domain

5Human-Computer Interaction

5.1Overreliance and unsafe use

Users anthropomorphizing, trusting, or relying on AI systems, leading to emotional or material dependence and inappropriate relationships with or expectations of AI systems. Trust can be exploited by malicious actors (e.g., to harvest personal information or enable manipulation), or result in harm from inappropriate use of AI in critical situations (e.g., medical emergency). Overreliance on AI systems can compromise autonomy and weaken social ties.

"Beyond being simply influenced, humans may become overreliant on generative AI. Researchers with Microsoft’s AETHER (AI Ethics and Effects in Engineering and Research) define overreliance as users “accepting incorrect AI recommendations” or “making errors of commission” because they are “unable to determine whether or how much they should trust the AI.”(p. 82)

Entity— Who or what caused the harm

Human

Due to a decision or action made by humans

AI system

Due to a decision or action made by an AI system

Other

Due to some other reason or is ambiguous

Intent— Whether the harm was intentional or accidental

Intentional

Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal

Unintentional

Due to an unexpected outcome from pursuing a goal