Making Machines Understand Humans: Behavioral Data Science, Trust, and AI’s Real Risks

Data scientist and behavioral decision theorist Ganna Pogrebna explains behavioral data science as making machines understand human preferences, goals, and values, outlining three strands: economic psychology, mathematical analysis of algorithm behavior, and engineering of complex human–machine systems.

She discusses ethical concerns around “trust” in probabilistic large language models, how algorithmic recommendations shape user agency, and the uncertain impacts of relationship AI amid rising loneliness and changing communication. Pogrebna argues AI can both degrade and enhance skills depending on use, citing evidence on navigation and a radiology study where weaker doctors worsened while stronger improved with decision support. ...