Gartner Research

Anthropomorphize AI to Make It Safe and Successful

Published: 12 September 2023

Summary

Generative AI output is increasingly indistinguishable from human output, and users can’t resist humanizing it. Application leaders responsible for AI can use Gartner frameworks to embrace the anthropomorphic design of AI in a purposeful way to make their products safe and successful.

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Overview

Impacts
  • The irresistible tendency to anthropomorphize — or project human attributes onto — generative AI agents will lead users to expect humanlike behavior and performance.

  • Poorly executed anthropomorphization will lead to serious backlash, bringing brand and corporate risk.

  • Government regulations and enterprise compliance requirements will demand more transparency from generative AI agents.

Recommendations
  • Determine the level of anthropomorphism in your product by using the dimensions of the anthropomorphic design framework to guide the UX design.

  • Assess and shape how your AI nudges users toward the desired business goals by using Gartner’s influence AI framework.

  • Provide users with transparency on the AI’s intended use,

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