Researchers at the European University of Rome and partner institutions analyze AI adoption by assessing anxiety, usage, positive attitudes, and perceived knowledge among 335 adults. They find women report higher AI anxiety and lower AI engagement, with gender moderating anxiety’s effect on attitudes.
Key points
Women report significantly higher AI anxiety and lower positive attitudes toward AI, perceived knowledge, and use (MANOVA η²=0.162).
PROCESS moderation analysis shows gender moderates the negative relationship between AI anxiety and positive AI attitudes, with anxiety impacting men more steeply.
Prior AI use positively predicts attitudes (β>0), while age and perceived AI knowledge have no direct effect.
Why it matters:
Identifying gender-specific AI apprehensions and engagement patterns informs interventions to bridge the AI adoption gap and promote inclusive digital policy.
Q&A
What is AI anxiety?
How was gender moderation tested?
Why do women report higher AI anxiety?
What policy interventions are suggested?
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Academy
AI Anxiety and Well-Being in Longevity Science
AI anxiety describes worry or fear about interacting with artificial intelligence systems. As AI tools become woven into healthcare, personal wellness apps, and research on aging, users may experience discomfort, uncertainty, or even mistrust. This anxiety can reduce adoption rates of potentially beneficial AI applications aimed at tracking health metrics, suggesting lifestyle modifications, or predicting disease risks. Recognizing and addressing AI anxiety is essential for ensuring that longevity-focused technologies reach and support diverse populations.
Causes of AI Anxiety
Several factors contribute to AI anxiety, including:
- Perceived lack of control: Users worry that opaque algorithms make decisions without human oversight, especially regarding sensitive health data.
- Uncertainty about accuracy: Concerns that AI predictions about longevity or disease risk may be incorrect or misleading.
- Privacy and data security: Fear that personal biometric and health information collected by AI systems could be misused, leaked, or shared without consent.
- Job displacement: Apprehension that AI will replace healthcare workers or wellness professionals, undermining human support networks.
Impact on Well-Being and Longevity Research
AI holds promise for accelerating longevity science through large-scale data analysis, predictive modeling of age-related diseases, and personalized health recommendations. However, if users or practitioners hesitate to adopt AI-driven tools due to anxiety, these innovations cannot deliver benefits. Reduced uptake of AI in clinical trials, wearable monitoring, or telehealth platforms may limit early detection of conditions like dementia or cardiovascular disease. Understanding AI anxiety thus becomes critical for designing user-centered interfaces, transparent algorithms, and educational modules that foster trust and engagement.
Strategies to Manage AI Anxiety
- Enhance transparency: Clearly explain how AI systems work, including data sources, algorithm logic, and decision-making criteria.
- Offer user controls: Allow individuals to review, correct, or opt out of AI recommendations, reinforcing a sense of agency.
- Provide training and support: Implement tutorials, workshops, or help desks to familiarize users with AI features and best practices.
- Showcase success stories: Highlight real-world cases where AI improved health outcomes or extended quality life years.
Conclusion
Addressing AI anxiety is a vital step toward inclusive integration of AI within longevity and well-being initiatives. By combining transparent design, user empowerment, and educational efforts, stakeholders can reduce fear, build confidence, and ensure that AI-driven innovations fulfill their potential to support healthy aging for all individuals.