Affiliation:
1. College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida
2. Diederich College of Communication, Marquette University
3. Department of Communication Studies, The University of Kansas
Abstract
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI), since its marked proliferation in the mid-2010s, has significantly penetrated various sectors, becoming a transformative force that necessitates ongoing refinement of communication strategies and political dynamics by stakeholders. Drawing on the Orientation-Stimulus-Reasoning-Orientation-Response (O-S-R-O-R) model, this study delves into the role of AI news consumption in participatory democracy. Using data from a nationwide survey (N = 1,252), the study assesses a mediation model that proposes a multilayered process through which AI news consumption facilitates civic participation. The findings reveal that AI news consumption across different media platforms is positively linked with civic participation, facilitated by both online and offline AI discussions. This relationship is further mediated by trust in AI news and trust in AI actors. Further theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Reference65 articles.
1. The growing influence of industry in AI research;Ahmed;Science,2023
2. An experimental study of public trust in AI chatbots in the public sector;Aoki;Government Information Quarterly,2020
3. Polarized political communication, oppositional media hostility, and selective exposure;Arceneaux;The Journal of Politics,2012
4. Online news creation, trust in the media, and political participation: Direct and moderating effects over time;Ardèvol-Abreu;Journalism,2018
5. Can government’s presence on social media stimulate citizens’ online political participation? Investigating the influence of transparency, trust, and responsiveness;Arshad;Government Information Quarterly,2020