Computational Analysis of AI Mistrust: Generative Thematic Mapping of Conspiracy Discourse on Reddit

This study analyzes public discourse on conspiracy theories related to artificial intelligence (AI) by examining four Reddit threads from the r/conspiracy subreddit, posted in 2025 and 2021. The dataset includes over 1200 user comments discussing the role of AI in surveillance, media manipulation, labor displacement, and political influence. We apply a generative thematic analysis methodology, using a large language model (LLM) to identify recurring themes, supported by human oversight to ensure accuracy and interpretive validity. Our approach combines the scalability of automated analysis with close reading and thematic refinement by researchers. This research highlights how public interpretations of AI, whether accurate or not, shape trust, adoption, and resistance. Our findings show the importance of transparency in AI design and deployment, and indicate that perceived opacity in AI development can amplify systemic mistrust.