“It Feels Wrong”: Understanding Reactions to Artificial Intelligence as a Decision‐Maker in Selection Through the Lens of Moral Foundations Theory

Agata Mirowska () and Jbid Arsenyan
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Agata Mirowska: NEOMA - Neoma Business School
Jbid Arsenyan: Rennes SB - Rennes School of Business

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Abstract: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) decision-making in the workplace poses a moral issue beyond mere technology acceptance, considering the potential consequences of algorithmic management to individuals' professional well-being. In view of its pluralistic approach to human morality, we adopt Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) as our theoretical lens through which to study reactions to AI-led decision-making in selection. Using a qualitative approach, we explore individuals' reactions to the idea of AI-evaluated interviews, mapping these reactions onto moral foundations, identifying novel sub-themes specific to the context of AI in selection. Using 33 interviews with working adults, we find that all six moral foundations -care, fairness, authority, loyalty, sanctity, and liberty -are evoked when discussing the implementation of AI in selection. We discuss how these moral foundations manifest themselves in this AI decision making context, and articulate theoretical and practical implications.

Keywords: selection; reactions to artificial intelligence; moral foundations theory; job interviews; artificial intelligence; algorithmic decision-making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12-26
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05444056v1
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Published in International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 2025, 34, ⟨10.1111/ijsa.70039⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05444056

DOI: 10.1111/ijsa.70039

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