Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms

Jiaqi Liao; Chei Sian Lee

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9_33

Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms

Jiaqi Liao^*, Chei Sian Lee

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Generative AI (GenAI) discussions on social Q&A platforms reveal diverse public perceptions and user engagement shaped by platform-specific characteristics. This study analyzed discussions on Zhihu, Quora, and Reddit using topic modeling, topic similarity analysis and sentiment analysis, uncovering distinct user priorities and emotional responses. Zhihu focused on content creation, ethics, and personalized learning, with polarized sentiments. Quora emphasized business strategies, customer support, and technical learning, showing predominantly positive emotions. Reddit explored a wide range of topics, including communication tools and software development, with balanced sentiments. Cross-platform analysis revealed shared interests in communication, translation, and education, with notable overlaps in personalized learning and technical applications. These insights highlight how user demographics influence GenAI discourse, offering practical guidance for tailoring tools to regional needs. The comparative results have both practical and theoretical implications, offering valuable insights for stakeholders to tailor applications and strategies for different user groups related to GenAI.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	HCI International 2025 Posters - 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Proceedings
Editors	Constantine Stephanidis, Margherita Antona, Stavroula Ntoa, Gavriel Salvendy
Publisher	Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages	349-358
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Print)	9783031941702
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9_33
Publication status	Published - 2025
Externally published	Yes
Event	27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025 - Gothenburg, Sweden Duration: Jun 22 2025 → Jun 27 2025

Publication series

Name	Communications in Computer and Information Science
Volume	2529 CCIS
ISSN (Print)	1865-0929
ISSN (Electronic)	1865-0937

Conference

Conference	27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025
Country/Territory	Sweden
City	Gothenburg
Period	6/22/25 → 6/27/25

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

General Computer Science
General Mathematics

Keywords

Cross-platform comparison
Generative artificial intelligence
Public discourse
Sentiment analysis
Social Q&A
Topic modeling

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9_33

Cite this

Liao, J., & Lee, C. S. (2025). Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms. In C. Stephanidis, M. Antona, S. Ntoa, & G. Salvendy (Eds.), HCI International 2025 Posters - 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Proceedings (pp. 349-358). (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2529 CCIS). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9_33

Liao, Jiaqi ; Lee, Chei Sian. / Public Perceptions of Generative AI : Insights from Social Q&A Platforms. HCI International 2025 Posters - 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Proceedings. editor / Constantine Stephanidis ; Margherita Antona ; Stavroula Ntoa ; Gavriel Salvendy. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025. pp. 349-358 (Communications in Computer and Information Science).

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abstract = "Generative AI (GenAI) discussions on social Q\&A platforms reveal diverse public perceptions and user engagement shaped by platform-specific characteristics. This study analyzed discussions on Zhihu, Quora, and Reddit using topic modeling, topic similarity analysis and sentiment analysis, uncovering distinct user priorities and emotional responses. Zhihu focused on content creation, ethics, and personalized learning, with polarized sentiments. Quora emphasized business strategies, customer support, and technical learning, showing predominantly positive emotions. Reddit explored a wide range of topics, including communication tools and software development, with balanced sentiments. Cross-platform analysis revealed shared interests in communication, translation, and education, with notable overlaps in personalized learning and technical applications. These insights highlight how user demographics influence GenAI discourse, offering practical guidance for tailoring tools to regional needs. The comparative results have both practical and theoretical implications, offering valuable insights for stakeholders to tailor applications and strategies for different user groups related to GenAI.",

keywords = "Cross-platform comparison, Generative artificial intelligence, Public discourse, Sentiment analysis, Social Q\&A, Topic modeling",

author = "Jiaqi Liao and Lee, \{Chei Sian\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.; 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025 ; Conference date: 22-06-2025 Through 27-06-2025",

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doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9\_33",

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Liao, J & Lee, CS 2025, Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms. in C Stephanidis, M Antona, S Ntoa & G Salvendy (eds), HCI International 2025 Posters - 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Proceedings. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol. 2529 CCIS, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, pp. 349-358, 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Gothenburg, Sweden, 6/22/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9_33

Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms. / Liao, Jiaqi; Lee, Chei Sian.
HCI International 2025 Posters - 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Proceedings. ed. / Constantine Stephanidis; Margherita Antona; Stavroula Ntoa; Gavriel Salvendy. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025. p. 349-358 (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2529 CCIS).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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AU - Lee, Chei Sian

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Generative AI (GenAI) discussions on social Q&A platforms reveal diverse public perceptions and user engagement shaped by platform-specific characteristics. This study analyzed discussions on Zhihu, Quora, and Reddit using topic modeling, topic similarity analysis and sentiment analysis, uncovering distinct user priorities and emotional responses. Zhihu focused on content creation, ethics, and personalized learning, with polarized sentiments. Quora emphasized business strategies, customer support, and technical learning, showing predominantly positive emotions. Reddit explored a wide range of topics, including communication tools and software development, with balanced sentiments. Cross-platform analysis revealed shared interests in communication, translation, and education, with notable overlaps in personalized learning and technical applications. These insights highlight how user demographics influence GenAI discourse, offering practical guidance for tailoring tools to regional needs. The comparative results have both practical and theoretical implications, offering valuable insights for stakeholders to tailor applications and strategies for different user groups related to GenAI.

AB - Generative AI (GenAI) discussions on social Q&A platforms reveal diverse public perceptions and user engagement shaped by platform-specific characteristics. This study analyzed discussions on Zhihu, Quora, and Reddit using topic modeling, topic similarity analysis and sentiment analysis, uncovering distinct user priorities and emotional responses. Zhihu focused on content creation, ethics, and personalized learning, with polarized sentiments. Quora emphasized business strategies, customer support, and technical learning, showing predominantly positive emotions. Reddit explored a wide range of topics, including communication tools and software development, with balanced sentiments. Cross-platform analysis revealed shared interests in communication, translation, and education, with notable overlaps in personalized learning and technical applications. These insights highlight how user demographics influence GenAI discourse, offering practical guidance for tailoring tools to regional needs. The comparative results have both practical and theoretical implications, offering valuable insights for stakeholders to tailor applications and strategies for different user groups related to GenAI.

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PB - Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Y2 - 22 June 2025 through 27 June 2025

ER -

Liao J, Lee CS. Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms. In Stephanidis C, Antona M, Ntoa S, Salvendy G, editors, HCI International 2025 Posters - 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2025, Proceedings. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. 2025. p. 349-358. (Communications in Computer and Information Science). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-94171-9_33

Public Perceptions of Generative AI: Insights from Social Q&A Platforms

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this