This study examines the influence of perceived AI features on user motivation in virtual interactions. AI avatars, being disclosed as being an AI, or embodying specific genders, could be used in user-AI interactions. Leveraging insights from AI and avatar research, we explore how AI disclosure and gender affect user motivation. We conducted a game-based experiment involving over 72,500 participants who solved search problems alone or with an AI companion. Different groups experienced varying AI appearances and disclosures. We measured play intensity. Results revealed that the presence of another avatar led to less intense play compared to solo play. Disclosure of the avatar as AI heightened effort intensity compared to non-disclosed AI companions. Additionally, a masculine AI appearance reduced effort intensity.

翻译：本研究探讨了虚拟交互中感知到的AI特征对用户动机的影响。在用户与AI的交互中，可使用AI化身、明确披露其为AI，或使其体现特定性别。借鉴AI与化身研究的相关见解，我们探索了AI披露与性别如何影响用户动机。我们进行了一项基于游戏的实验，涉及超过72,500名参与者，他们单独或与AI同伴共同解决搜索问题。不同组别体验了不同的AI外观与披露条件。我们测量了游戏投入强度。结果显示，与单独游戏相比，存在另一个化身导致游戏投入强度降低。披露化身为AI相较于未披露的AI同伴，提高了努力强度。此外，男性化的AI外观降低了努力强度。