The rapid spread of artificial intelligence has people wondering: whos most likely to embrace AI in their daily lives? Many assume its the tech-savvy those who understand how AI works who are most eager to adopt it.Surprisingly, our new research (published in the Journal of Marketing) finds the opposite. People with less knowledge about AI are actually more open to using the technology. We call this difference in adoption propensity the lower literacy-higher receptivity link.This link shows up across different groups, settings, and even countries. For instance, our analysis of data from market research company Ipsos spanning 27 countries reveals that people in nations with lower average AI literacy are more receptive towards AI adoption than those in nations with higher literacy.Similarly, our survey of US undergraduate students finds that those with less understanding of AI are more likely to indicate using it for tasks like academic assignments.The reason behind this link lies in how AI now performs tasks we once thought only humans could do. When AI creates a piece of art, writes a heartfelt response or plays a musical instrument, it can feel almost magical like its crossing into human territory.Of course, AI doesnt actually possess human qualities. A chatbot might generate an empathetic response, but it doesnt feel empathy. People with more technical knowledge about AI understand this.They know how algorithms (sets of mathematical rules used by computers to carry out particular tasks), training data (used to improve how an AI system works) and computational models operate. This makes the technology less mysterious.On the other hand, those with less understanding may see AI as magical and awe inspiring. We suggest this sense of magic makes them more open to using AI tools.Our studies show this lower literacy-higher receptivity link is strongest for using AI tools in areas people associate with human traits, like providing emotional support or counselling. When it comes to tasks that dont evoke the same sense of human-like qualities such as analysing test results the pattern flips. People with higher AI literacy are more receptive to these uses because they focus on AIs efficiency, rather than any magical qualities.Its not about capability, fear, or ethicsInterestingly, this link between lower literacy and higher receptivity persists even though people with lower AI literacy are more likely to view AI as less capable, less ethical, and even a bit scary. Their openness to AI seems to stem from their sense of wonder about what it can do, despite these perceived drawbacks.This finding offers new insights into why people respond so differently to emerging technologies. Some studies suggest consumers favour new tech, a phenomenon called algorithm appreciation, while others show scepticism, or algorithm aversion. Our research points to perceptions of AIs magicalness as a key factor shaping these reactions.These insights pose a challenge for policymakers and educators. Efforts to boost AI literacy might unintentionally dampen peoples enthusiasm for using AI by making it seem less magical. This creates a tricky balance between helping people understand AI and keeping them open to its adoption.To make the most of AIs potential, businesses, educators and policymakers need to strike this balance. By understanding how perceptions of magicalness shape peoples openness to AI, we can help develop and deploy new AI-based products and services that take the way people view AI into account, and help them understand the benefits and risks of AI.And ideally, this will happen without causing a loss of the awe that inspires many people to embrace this new technology.Chiara Longoni, Associate Professor, Marketing and Social Science, Bocconi University; Gil Appel, Assistant Professor of Marketing, School of Business, George Washington University, and Stephanie Tully, Associate Professor of Marketing, USC Marshall School of Business, University of Southern CaliforniaThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Story by The Conversation An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. An independent news and commentary website produced by academics and journalists. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with