SKEPTICAL TO AI LIKE A DATA SCIENTIST. RESULTS FROM A POLISH SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE SO-CALLED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPERS COMMUNITY AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ACADEMIC TEACHERS
SKEPTICAL TO AI LIKE A DATA SCIENTIST. RESULTS FROM A POLISH SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE SO-CALLED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPERS COMMUNITY AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ACADEMIC TEACHERS

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems have sparked another wave of en-thusiasm toward AI. This article presents AI from a data science (DS) perspective. DS is in-volved in developing and implementing AI. In the social sciences, there has been significantinterest in AI. However, little is known about DS as a research subject.Research Aim: The aim of this study is to provide an analysis of the perception and understand-ing of AI from the perspective of the DS community. Insights can be useful in demystifying AIfor non-technical audiences, especially for academic teachers and students.Research Method: The research adopted a situational analysis approach with multi-site eth-nography. In 2016-2019, methods included in-depth interviews (IDIs) with data scientists, par-ticipant observation of DS events and workshops, collaborative ethnography, autoethnography,and netnography. In mid-2023, informal interviews and a formal IDI were conducted.Results: The DS community perceives AI as a non-technical marketing term for various tech-nologies, including machine learning. Business spokespersons use the term “AI” to impressnon-technical audiences. Evoking pop-culture images of AI creates an illusion of AI as magical.In contrast, the preparation of a machine learning model is seen in DS as laborious and exper-imental. Data scientists associate machine learning with Python, a programming language. Onthe other hand, DS associates AI with PowerPoint slides to illustrate the unrealistic or unclearpromises made by spokespersons for commercial purposes.Conclusion: Data scientists’ skeptical approach to AI may help explain AI to non-technicalaudiences, including students. Practical suggestions for academic teachers are given.

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