According to an article in Vive (https://blog.vive.com/us/why-the-japanese-trust-ai-more-a-cross-cultural-experiment) several months ago, an experiment engaging 600 Japanese and 600 American participants delved into the cultural differences affecting interaction with AI agents.
Two classic game experiments, The Trust Game and Prisoner’s Dilemma, simulated scenarios of trust, cooperation, and betrayal in human interactions with results showing that Japanese participants cooperated with humans and AI at nearly the same rate while Americans significantly exploited AI. There was no significant difference in participants’ expectations of AI behavior between the two countries—meaning Americans chose to “betray” even if they believed AI would cooperate.
The study also found that Japanese participants felt stronger guilt, anger, and disappointment, and less victory or relief compared to Americans who felt little emotional burden towards AI.
One reason for this: in Japanese culture, the idea that “non-human entities possess spirit” is not unfamiliar. Influenced by Shinto and Buddhism, traditional thought emphasizes “animism”—not only humans and animals but even trees and objects are seen as having some inner spirit. While Americans view AI as tools, the Japanese are more likely to view AI as entities with social interaction potential, differing from the more restricted, less panoramic Western perspective.
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