Distrust In Colleagues Is Quietly Redirecting Trust Toward Machines

New research describes “deferred trust,” a mechanism in which distrust of human counterparts redirects reliance toward AI systems perceived as more neutral or competent.

Reported by: ScienceDirect

Norm's Take

Rising AI trust inside an organization may be a symptom of eroding interpersonal trust, not a sign of AI maturity. Leaders seeing rapid AI adoption on their teams should ask what that adoption is substituting for.

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Analysis and opinion, not investment or legal advice. © 2026 Norm Murray. All Rights Reserved.

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Norm Murray, CEO and Founder of Norm E. Murray
About the author
Norm Murray
AI Leadership Advisor · Psychologist · Economist
Norm advises CEOs, boards and senior leaders on the psychology and economics of AI adoption: what AI does to leaders and organizations, not just what it does. He has led global businesses across multiple continents and writes The Norm Report for executives navigating the AI shift.
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Norm’s Edge is analysis and opinion intended for senior executive and board-level audiences. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment, compliance or regulatory advice. Stories are drawn from third-party reporting that may be unconfirmed. Readers should seek independent professional counsel before making decisions based on any content published here. Norm E. Murray does not accept any liability for actions taken in reliance on this analysis.

© 2026 Norm Murray. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the author.