[4Rin1] Interactive Session 2

[4Rin1-38] A preliminary discussion on cultural variabilities in human-AI relation

a trial of application with "viewing together" theory

〇Osamu Sakura^1,2, Shin'ichi Fukuzumi², Hiroshi Nakagawa² (1. Univ. of Tokyo, 2. RIKEN-AIP)

Keywords:human-AI relation, viewing together (joint attention), public image, cultural difference

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the possibility that iconographical analysis of the composition of humans and AI/robots would contribute to acquire new perspectives in cultural variabilities in public image and social epistemology of AI/robots. While placing humans and AI/robots side by side is preferred in Japanese pictures, Western photos tend to capture humans and AI/robots with gazing together. Applying the theory of "viewing together," or joint attention, we may suggest from the observed difference that Japanese society may regard AI/robots as more human-like agents, or may consider them in more anthropomorphic way than in Western countries. We need more organized analysis of pictures on the internet, careful investigation of the concept of animism, as well more systematic comparative surveys of the public images of AI/robots within East-Asian countries which share many of ecological and cultural conditions.