Impacts and Challenges in Engaging AI and Digital Humans: Human-Technology Collaboration
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/112408
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Item type: Item , Examining the Impact of EmpathicAI among Vulnerable Communities(2026-01-06) Ware, Thomas; Zhou, Tongxin; Boghrati, ReihaneThis research examines how empathetic AI influences emotional support exchanges within trauma recovery communities, specifically the “raised by narcissists” (RBN) subreddit. Drawing on IT-Enabled Public Goods Theory, we investigate how three empathy modalities, cognitive empathy (understanding perspectives), emotional empathy (sharing emotions), and motivational empathy (driving prosocial behaviors), impact connectivity in online communities. We present findings from a controlled survey experiment (N=736) testing AI-generated comments with different empathy modalities on user engagement likelihood. Results demonstrate that participants who read empathetic AI comments showed significantly higher engagement intentions compared to neutral responses, with cognitive empathy (β = 0.49, p < 0.05) and motivational empathy (β = 0.40, p < 0.05) showing stronger effects than emotional empathy (β = 0.34, p < 0.1). Notably, neutral AI responses performed worse than no comment at all, suggesting that emotionally flat interactions may actually discourage engagement in sensitive contexts. Our findings extend IT-enabled public goods theory by demonstrating how different empathy modalities contribute unequally to connectivity outcomes in vulnerable populations. This research advances understanding of AI’s role in trauma recovery communities by examining empathetic AI in emotionally complex, peer-support environments rather than dyadic interactions, informing development of more compassionate and contextually appropriate AI technologies for vulnerable online communities.Item type: Item , Designing AI as a Digital Companion: Focusing on Regulatory Focus, Mirroring, and Emotional Contagion Theories(2026-01-06) Choi, Hyoungyong; Lee, Ji-yeon; Park, Jun-Hyung; Lee, Jae-Hong; Lee, Kyu-MinThis research proposes a model for designing AI as a Digital Companion, integrating psychological theories, specifically Regulatory Focus Theory (RFT), Mirroring Theory, and Emotional Contagion Theory. The study aims to adapt AI to users' emotional states and motivational orientations, enhancing human-AI interactions by fostering emotional connections and trust. A multi-stage experimental approach will be used to examine the impact of psychologically attuned AI on users’ emotional responses, attitudes, and behavior, and to empirically validate the AI model's effectiveness. The research contributes by presenting a novel AI development model based on psychological theories and demonstrating its real-world impact. Practical applications are expected in mental health, elderly care, education, and public service, with a focus on improving AI's societal impact by prioritizing psychological intelligence in AI design.Item type: Item , How AI Assistant Intelligence and AI Literacy Shape Technostress and Resistance: An Experimental Study(2026-01-06) Min, Sun Jung; Kim, Tae Jin; Lee, One-Ki Daniel; Kang, JuyoungThis study investigates how the intelligence of AI assistants and users’ AI literacy interact to influence resistance behavioral intention through technostress (i.e., eustress and distress). Using a 2×2 experimental design, we examine both eustress and distress as dual emotional pathways. The results show that emotional responses vary depending on users’ AI literacy, even under identical stimuli. These findings provide empirical support for the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model and offer practical insights for designing user-centered AI deployment strategies in organizational environments.Item type: Item , Introduction to the Minitrack on Impacts and Challenges in Engaging AI and Digital Humans: Human-Technology Collaboration(2026-01-06) Lee, Joonghee; Lee, One-Ki Daniel; Shin, Soo Il; Kim, Jin Sik