From Text to Self: Users' Perceptions of Potential of AI on Interpersonal Communication and Self
This research addresses how AI tools impact interpersonal communication for users, but it is incremental as it builds on existing studies of user perceptions without introducing new methods.
The study explored users' perceptions of AI-mediated communication tools, finding that participants view them favorably for increasing confidence and navigating barriers, but also identify limitations like verbosity and inauthenticity, with suitability varying by communication stakes and relationship dynamics.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-mediated communication (AIMC), tools powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) are becoming integral to interpersonal communication. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a one-week diary and interview study to explore users' perceptions of these tools' ability to: 1) support interpersonal communication in the short-term, and 2) lead to potential long-term effects. Our findings indicate that participants view AIMC support favorably, citing benefits such as increased communication confidence, and finding precise language to express their thoughts, navigating linguistic and cultural barriers. However, the study also uncovers current limitations of AIMC tools, including verbosity, unnatural responses, and excessive emotional intensity. These shortcomings are further exacerbated by user concerns about inauthenticity and potential overreliance on the technology. Furthermore, we identified four key communication spaces delineated by communication stakes (high or low) and relationship dynamics (formal or informal) that differentially predict users' attitudes toward AIMC tools. Specifically, participants found the tool is more suitable for communicating in formal relationships than informal ones and more beneficial in high-stakes than low-stakes communication.