Fears about AI-mediated communication are grounded in different expectations for one's own versus others' use

Fears about AI-mediated communication are grounded in different expectations for one's own versus others' use Contribution statement: MJ and NK conceived of the original idea and carried out Study 1. MJ created the stimuli for Studies 1 and 2 and performed the initial analysis of the Study 1 results. ZP was the principal investigator and led the design of Study 2 and its conceptual integration with Study 1 in consultation with all authors. ZP carried out Study 2 in consultation with all authors. MD oversaw ethical approval and pre-registration for Study 2. ZP ran the power analysis, conducted the analyses, designed the figures, and drafted the manuscript in consultation with MD and AM. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the design, analysis, and manuscript. Abstract The rapid development of AI-mediated communication technologies (AICTs) - digital tools that use AI to augment our interpersonal messages - has created concerns about the future of interpersonal trust and prompted urgent discussions about disclosure and uptake. We contribute to this discussion by assessing perceptions about acceptability and use of open and secret AICTs for oneself and others. In two studies with representative samples (UK: N=477, US: N=765), we found (a) that secret (i.e., undisclosed) AICT use is deemed less acceptable than open AICT use, (b) people overestimate others' AICT use, and (c) people expect others to use AICTs irresponsibly. Thus, we raise concerns about the potential for misperceptions and different expectations for others to drive self-fulfilling pessimistic outlooks about AImediated communication.