Relationships with artificial intelligence (AI) agents such as companion chatbots are on the rise. Concerns that these relationships may harm or replace real human relationships have been raised, but whether and how these social consequences occur remains unclear. Prior research suggests that people’s states of social need and their anthropomorphism of the AI agent may play a role in how human-AI interaction impacts human-human interaction.
In this longitudinal study (N = 183), participants were randomly assigned to text chat with a companion chatbot or engage in text-based word games for at least 10 minutes a day for 21 days. Data was collected via two interviews and four surveys. Results suggested that people who had a higher desire to socially connect anthropomorphized the chatbot more. Those who anthropomorphized the chatbot more indicated that the interaction had greater impacts on their social interactions and relationships with family and friends. A mediation analysis suggested that the impact of human-AI interaction on human-human outcomes is mediated by the extent to which people anthropomorphize the AI agent, which may be motivated by a desire to socially connect.
Bio: Rose E. Guingrich is a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology and Social Policy at Princeton University, an NSF Fellow, and a Social Impact Fellow at All Tech is Human. She specializes in human-AI interaction and social cognition. Her research explores when and why people anthropomorphize or perceive AI as conscious or humanlike, and how these perceptions impact human-human social outcomes. Through her research and cross-disciplinary initiatives like ETHICOM, Guingrich aims to promote responsible, human-centered AI development and use.
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