What affects the usage of artificial conversational agents? An agent personality and love theory perspective

Artificial-intelligence (AI) powered conversational (CAI) agents have been growing in popularity. Like human personality, CAI agent personality can also impact the relationship users develop with them. In this work we adopt a multi-methodological systematic approach for generating CAI agent personality descriptors. 235 unique descriptors are obtained grouped into 8 personality dimensions. Having generated the personality framework, we propose a research model based on Stimulus Organism Response framework and Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love for explaining how these personality traits lead to formation of love with these agents affecting their usage scenario. Results indicate that all the three components of love (passion, intimacy, and commitment) have significant effects on the usage scenario. However, depending upon the agent personality the nature of relationships varies. Cognitive personality results in fatuous love, affective personality results in consummate love, and social personality results in friendly relationship. A conceptual difference is observed between brand love, and the "love for AI." The results of this research will not only help the HCI designers to create suitable machine personality for various AI-based agents, but it will also provide an unconventional approach towards examining adoption of emerging AI-based technologies by exploring the love aspect between man and machines.