Technological advancement in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is exceptionally rapid. Usage of AI tools is becoming increasingly prevalent in various aspects of everyday life. Despite the many advantages these tools offer their widespread adoption also brings numerous challenges. These include concerns about the reliability and impartiality of AI-generated content, as well as the emergence of deepfakes, which further blur the lines between reality and artificially created information. The purpose of this master's thesis is to examine those areas theoretically, aswell as methodologically examin general understanding and knowledge of AI across different demographic groups, recognition of the advantages and disadvantages of using AI tools, perceptions of the reliability and credibility of the information provided by AI, and the impact of AI use on individuals' critical thinking. As part of the research, a survey was conducted. The results indicate that more frequent users of AI tools assess their usefulness more cautiously than those who use them less often. A trend was also observed showing that the more individuals trust AI, the more likely they are to rely on its answers without further verification. Additionally, there are emerging patterns suggesting changes in the perceived cognitive effort required when working with AI tools — toward integrating AI-generated responses with users’ own knowledge and experience, which demands additional analysis and reflection from respondents.
|
