Keyword – literature review

Pintér, Róbert:

The Social Impact of AI and Robot Representations in Science Fiction

This study examines the relationship between science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics based on English-language theoretical and empirical research published until 2025. First, it clarifies the concept of science fiction and its role in shaping expectations about the future, then it presents key precursors rooted in myths and collective fears and reviews why dystopian narratives have become dominant in recent decades. The paper briefly discusses the ambivalent relationship between science and science fiction, as well as the field’s potential to inspire research and innovation. The second, more extensive, part of the paper provides a structured overview of the relevant literature, divided into theoretical contributions, expert perspectives, media analyses and empirical studies focusing on lay audiences. It summarises how AI- and robot-themed science fiction may influence both public and expert perceptions and expectations. Overall, the findings suggest that science fiction functions as a cultural reference framework for thinking about AI and robotics, but its impact on lay perceptions is not linear; rather, it is complex, multi-layered and strongly context-dependent.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, literature review, media effects, robot, science fiction