AI Humanizers, Pragmatists, Skeptics: A Cluster Analysis of Normative Attitudes for AI’s Capabilities and Roles

Authors

Kate K. Mays, University of VermontFollow
Ekaterina Novozhilova, Boston UniversityFollow

Abstract

This study explores people’s attitudes about artificial intelligence’s (AI) capabilities through a normative lens. Drawing from literature on phenomenological, ontological, and heuristic judgments about machines, we aim to better understand what capabilities people think AI should be able to have and how that relates to enthusiasm about having AI take certain roles in their lives. Survey participants (N = 601) were grouped via two-step clustering based on their attitudes, revealing three clusters: AI humanizers, who expect empathy and social interaction from AI; AI pragmatists, who expect cognitive capabilities; and AI skeptics, who prefer AI with limited human-like traits and emphasize task-oriented roles. Further analyses showed that AI cluster membership, along with AI threat perceptions, had a significant influence on enthusiasm for AI across different roles.

DOI

10.30658/hmc.12.6

Author ORCID Identifier

Kate Mays: 0000-0002-8477-9634

Ekaterina Novozhilova: 0000-0002-0277-8815

Recommended Citation

Mays, K. K., & Novozhilova, E. (2026). AI humanizers, pragmatists, skeptics: A cluster analysis of normative attitudes for AI’s capabilities and roles. Human–Machine Communication, 12, 113–138. https://doi.org/10.30658/hmc.12.6