Research Seminar Series: Prof. Sam Yam
About this Event
Dear Academic and Corporate Peers,
We are thrilled to invite you to the upcoming session of the Research Seminar Series at the Asia School of Business, featuring Professor Sam Yam from the National University of Singapore.
Seminar Title:
Can AI Displace Morally Dirty Work? Evidence From a Debt Collection Experiment
Event Details:
📅 Date: 2 September 2026 (Wednesday)
⏰ Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm
📍 Venue: CR-W2-04, Asia School of Business
💻 Zoom Link: https://asb-my.zoom.us/j/98519623572?pwd=Qm3bQWJrbNtl25NbxlhT4D0stlv8s4.1
Meeting ID: 985 1962 3572
Passcode: 442653
📝 Register now!
About the Seminar
Can AI replace humans in work that is not only challenging, but also morally uncomfortable?
This study examines whether AI can perform “morally dirty work” — tasks involving deceptive, intrusive, or confrontational interactions. Drawing on a large-scale field experiment at a digital micro-finance firm, the research compares repayment reminder calls made by an AI conversational bot with those made by human collectors.
The findings show that AI performs worse than humans in generating repayment, particularly among borrowers with higher overdue amounts, greater emotional sensitivity, and new borrowers. However, the study also highlights a potential benefit of AI displacement: reducing the moral stigma experienced by human collectors and allowing them to focus on other forms of work.
About the Speaker
Professor Sam Yam is the Jardine Cycle & Carriage Professor of Management, Psychology, and Bioethics at the National University of Singapore, where he also serves as Head of the Department of Management and Organization. He received his PhD in Organizational Behavior from the University of Washington in 2015.
His research focuses on organizational behavior, ethics, and management, examining how individuals and organizations navigate complex social and moral challenges.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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