# "Look! It's a Computer Program! It's an Algorithm! It's AI!": Does Terminology Affect Human Perceptions and Evaluations of Algorithmic Decision-Making Systems?

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2108.11486 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2108.11486/

## Key facts

- Cited by 13 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 25 Aug 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 13 of 13)

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- [Blaming Humans and Machines: What Shapes People's Reactions to Algorithmic Harm](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.02176/) (2023)
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- [The Hall of AI Fears and Hopes: Comparing the Views of AI Influencers and those of Members of the U.S. Public Through an Interactive Platform](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.06016/) (2025)
- [Mindful Explanations: Prevalence and Impact of Mind Attribution in XAI Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.12119/) (2023)
- [Distrust in (X)AI -- Measurement Artifact or Distinct Construct?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.16495/) (2023)
- [When Life Gives You AI, Will You Turn It Into A Market for Lemons? Understanding How Information Asymmetries About AI System Capabilities Affect Market Outcomes and Adoption](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.21650/) (2026)
- [AI Washing Inflates Expected Performance but Not Interaction Outcomes: An AI Placebo Study Using Fitts' Law](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.00582/) (2026)
- ["Trust Junk" Leads to Unjustified Support for Highly Discriminatory Predictive Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.14152/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In the media, in policy-making, but also in research articles, algorithmic decision-making (ADM) systems are referred to as algorithms, artificial intelligence, and computer programs, amongst other terms. We hypothesize that such terminological differences can affect people's perceptions of properties of ADM systems, people's evaluations of systems in application contexts, and the replicability of research as findings may be influenced by terminological differences. In two studies (N = 397, N = 622), we show that terminology does indeed affect laypeople's perceptions of system properties (e.g., perceived complexity) and evaluations of systems (e.g., trust). Our findings highlight the need to be mindful when choosing terms to describe ADM systems, because terminology can have unintended consequences, and may impact the robustness and replicability of HCI research. Additionally, our findings indicate that terminology can be used strategically (e.g., in communication about ADM systems) to influence people's perceptions and evaluations of these systems.