Dark Future: Development and Initial Validation of Artificial Intelligence Conspiracy Beliefs Scale (AICBS)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the past few years, the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its success in many areas of everyday life have attracted global attention. Some discussions have noted that generative AI tools can make decisions on their own with the potential to improve themselves. Subsequently, conspiracy theories have emerged concerning the future implications of AI. In the present study, the Artificial Intelligence Conspiracy Beliefs Scale (AICBS) was developed to assess conspiracy beliefs concerning AI, andits psychometric properties were examined. METHODS: = 25.10 years, 56% female). The sample was split to carry out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 423) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 365), resulting in a 30-item scale comprising five subdimensions. RESULTS: The five-factor structure explained 62.58% of the total variance. The CFA showed acceptable model fit indices and confirmed the EFA's five-factor structure. Based on the EFA's factor loadings, a short five-item version of the AICBS (AICBS-5) was developed with one item from each subdimension (which explained 45.28% of the variance). The CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure of the AICBS-5. The internal consistency coefficients of the AICBS, its subdimensions, and the AICBS-5 demonstrated very good reliability. Correlation analyses with external criterion measures (AI Anxiety Scale, Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale-5, and Anomie) supported the concurrent validity of the AICBS, its subdimensions, and the AICBS-5. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that both AICBS and AICBS-5 are valid and reliable psychometric instruments to assess AI conspiracy beliefs.
Source: Brain and Behavior
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70648
Institutions: Kaohsiung Medical University, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit, Ruhr University Bochum, Anadolu University, Gaziantep University, Gazi University, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Qufu Normal University, Nottingham Trent University, Jönköping University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,630
OpenAlex ID: W4411976152