Emre Balikci, a lecturer in the economics department, published a guest editorial in the Idaho Statesman on March 26 titled, “Humans trust hard work. That’s why AI’s efficiency is its weakness.” In his piece, Balikci said that while artificial intelligence provides significant efficiency gains, it does not carry the same perceived value as products or services shaped by human effort.
Balikci argued that people instinctively place greater trust in hard work and personal care. He wrote that these values are often associated with authenticity and status.
Balikci studies global political economy and institutional economics. His research uses status analysis to examine consumer preferences across different markets such as house appliances and real estate.
The discussion about AI’s role continues to be relevant as technology advances rapidly. Questions remain about how society will balance technological progress with appreciation for human input.
