Exploring human-likeness in AI: From perception to ethics and interaction dynamics

In the field of Human-Robot Interaction, the concept of human-likeness in robots and artificial agents poses significant questions regarding perception, interaction, and ethical dynamics. This area of research explores how endowing AI systems and robots with human-like features—such as anthropomorphic design and behaviors—affects the way they are perceived and engaged with by humans across different contexts. Despite advances in creating robots that can exhibit human semblance, there remains an ongoing debate on the extent to which these designs influence trust and interaction quality, and most importantly, the ethical implications involved. Amidst growing interest in the intersection of AI and human characteristics, this discourse is ripe for further exploration to better inform AI development and integration.

This Research Topic aims to advance interdisciplinary understanding of human-likeness and humanness in AI and Human-Robot interactions. A key objective is to scrutinize how anthropomorphic design and behavior impact user perception, engagement, and trust, alongside ethical considerations. By integrating insights from fields such as psychology, engineering, philosophy, and education, this topic seeks to elucidate the roles human-like traits play across various AI forms. Central questions include addressing the ethical implications of endowing artificial agents with human-like qualities and exploring whether such traits bolster or hinder communication and acceptance. We aim to propel the responsible design and application of human-like technologies in societal and technological realms.

To gather further insights into the implications of human-likeness, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Influence of anthropomorphic features on user perception and trust
- The impact of psychological, social, and cultural factors on human-like AI reception
- Ethical considerations in designing artificial agents to exhibit human-like qualities
- The influence of human-likeness on expectations related to AI intelligence, emotion, and agency
- The potential for AI to simulate empathy, morality, or consciousness
- Enhancements and barriers posed by human-likeness in communication and usability

We encourage a diverse range of article types, including empirical studies, theoretical analyses, reviews, and case studies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Human-Robot Interaction, antropomorphic design, human-likeness, trust, acceptance, social robot, chatbot

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.