Sensemaking with AI: How Trust Influences Human-AI Collaboration
By Sarah Daly, Lead Author & Co-Founder of AI360 Review
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, and is impacting our future of work. But as we integrate AI into professional settings, a fundamental question exists: How do we build trust in AI?
As the lead author of Sensemaking with AI: How Trust Influences Human-AI Collaboration, my research explores this question across different industry contexts, revealing how trust influences AI adoption, decision-making, and collaboration. The findings have implications for organizations looking to harness AI’s potential while ensuring it aligns with human values and professional norms.
Why Trust in AI Matters
AI has the potential to revolutionize how we work. It can enhance efficiency, optimize workflows, and unlock new creative possibilities. However, trust—or the lack of it—determines whether people embrace AI as an asset or resist it as a threat.
Our study found that trust in AI is shaped by four critical factors:
Transparency: Professionals need to understand how AI systems make decisions and where their data comes from. Black-box models create skepticism, while explainable AI fosters confidence.
Contextual Understanding: AI adoption varies by industry and individual role. Some people require high precision and accountability, while others prioritize flexibility and exploration. AI must be designed to support these unique needs.
Human Agency: Trust grows when people feel they remain in control. AI should enhance decision-making, not replace human expertise.
Initial Perceptions of AI: Experience matters. Positive interactions with AI build trust, while negative first impressions can create long-term resistance.
Trust in AI Exists on a Spectrum
Trust in AI does not fall into a simple “for or against” divide. Instead, it exists on a spectrum, shaped by personal experiences, industry demands, and the way AI is introduced into people’s workflows. Some individuals may feel cautious, perceiving AI as a disruptor or even a threat, while others embrace it as an enabler of new possibilities.
These perspectives evolve over time as we engage with AI, test its capabilities, and see firsthand how it fits into our work. Trust in AI is a journey—one that requires thoughtful integration, clear communication, and an ongoing dialogue about its role in decision-making and creativity.
We are collectively navigating this transformation, learning from both successes and challenges. By fostering a culture of openness, adaptability, and transparency, we can shape AI’s role in a way that supports human potential rather than undermining it.
Building Trusted AI Collaboration
So how do we foster trust in AI? Our research suggests several actionable strategies:
Get a clear, expert-driven assessment of your organization’s AI capability. Take the AI360 Insight Survey and get a Tailored Report.
🔹 Make AI Transparent and Explainable: Organizations must go beyond vague assurances and provide clear, user-friendly explanations of how AI models function, what data they rely on, and their inherent limitations. Explainability fosters confidence, allowing users to make informed decisions when integrating AI into their workflows.
🔹 Tailor AI for Industry-Specific Needs: AI adoption is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To maximize effectiveness, AI tools should be customized to align with the challenges, ethics, and workflows of each sector. Whether in healthcare, finance, or creative industries, AI must complement existing practices rather than disrupt them.
🔹 Empower People with AI as a Supportive Tool: AI should enhance human decision-making rather than replace it. By positioning AI as an augmentation rather than a substitute, organizations can ensure that professionals maintain control and confidence in their expertise while leveraging AI's capabilities for efficiency and insight.
🔹 Bridge the AI Knowledge Gap: Misinformation and lack of understanding often fuel skepticism. Organizations must actively educate their teams and stakeholders on AI’s real capabilities, addressing common misconceptions and showcasing tangible examples of successful AI integration. Training programs, hands-on experience, and transparent dialogue can shift perspectives from fear to trust.
How the AI360 Review supports your AI capability
At AI360 Review, we specialize in helping organizations navigate AI adoption with a strong focus on trust, governance, and human-AI collaboration. If your organization is integrating AI into its workflows, now is the time to ask:
Are your employees equipped to work alongside AI effectively?
Does your AI strategy align with industry-specific trust factors?
How can you foster AI adoption while ensuring ethical and transparent use?
Let’s start the conversation. Reach out to AI360 Review to explore how we can help your organization implement AI in a way that is trusted, transparent, and tailored to your needs.
Get in touch with us today!