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Uppfattad kognitiv auktoritet hos generativ AI. Hur syntetisk information omvandlas till fakta

Wagner, Victoria LU (2025) ABMM54 20251
Division of ALM, Digital Cultures and Publishing Studies
Abstract
In this master’s thesis I aim to produce knowledge concerning the perceived expertise and cognitive authority of generative AI models, specifically in regard to health, politics and the environment. This problem is important to investigate in order to better understand how people interact with synthetic information, both as a reliable source and as an example of mis- or disinformation. Furthermore, it is important for both library and information science as well as the library profession to understand how generative AI changes the information behavior as well as the kinds of trust that people have towards (un)trustworthy and non-traditional sources. I use Patrick Wilson’s (1983) theory of cognitive authority and add to it an understanding... (More)
In this master’s thesis I aim to produce knowledge concerning the perceived expertise and cognitive authority of generative AI models, specifically in regard to health, politics and the environment. This problem is important to investigate in order to better understand how people interact with synthetic information, both as a reliable source and as an example of mis- or disinformation. Furthermore, it is important for both library and information science as well as the library profession to understand how generative AI changes the information behavior as well as the kinds of trust that people have towards (un)trustworthy and non-traditional sources. I use Patrick Wilson’s (1983) theory of cognitive authority and add to it an understanding of trustworthiness and competence by introducing theories of language and knowledge to better create a tool to investigate human-generative AI-interactions. I have conducted nine interviews and collected some of the interviewees’ prompts and answers with generative AI and used a combination of the theory of cognitive authority, thematic and textual analysis in my study. The results of the master’s thesis suggest that generative AI might be perceived as a cognitive authority in what people deem trivial matters, although there also seems to be great discomfort of treating generative AI as an expert or even human. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wagner, Victoria LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Perceived cognitive authority in generative AI. How synthetic information is transformed into facts
course
ABMM54 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Library, Information, Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Large Language Models, Cognitive Authority, Experts, Expertise
language
Swedish
id
9194776
date added to LUP
2025-06-24 10:40:34
date last changed
2025-06-24 10:40:34
@misc{9194776,
  abstract     = {{In this master’s thesis I aim to produce knowledge concerning the perceived expertise and cognitive authority of generative AI models, specifically in regard to health, politics and the environment. This problem is important to investigate in order to better understand how people interact with synthetic information, both as a reliable source and as an example of mis- or disinformation. Furthermore, it is important for both library and information science as well as the library profession to understand how generative AI changes the information behavior as well as the kinds of trust that people have towards (un)trustworthy and non-traditional sources. I use Patrick Wilson’s (1983) theory of cognitive authority and add to it an understanding of trustworthiness and competence by introducing theories of language and knowledge to better create a tool to investigate human-generative AI-interactions. I have conducted nine interviews and collected some of the interviewees’ prompts and answers with generative AI and used a combination of the theory of cognitive authority, thematic and textual analysis in my study. The results of the master’s thesis suggest that generative AI might be perceived as a cognitive authority in what people deem trivial matters, although there also seems to be great discomfort of treating generative AI as an expert or even human.}},
  author       = {{Wagner, Victoria}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Uppfattad kognitiv auktoritet hos generativ AI. Hur syntetisk information omvandlas till fakta}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}