Evaluating Character Embodiment and Trust Towards AI Based on a Sleep Companion

Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables new ways of user interaction with tech products. Due to their design, the systems appear as a black box to the user, which leads to a lack of trust towards the AI. This work answers the questions: 1) How can the character of an AI be embodied through shape, tactility and movement? 2) How can a combination of this embodiment and tangible user interaction enhance the relationship of trust of the user towards an AI? An AI-enhanced sleep companion (“SleepMate”) is used to specify the field of application in a scenario that affects a variety of user groups. A preliminary study (n = 22) was conducted to identify key points in the context of sleeping and waking-up using the Diary Method. A structured interview was conducted to evaluate how users react to the execution of the prototype and the concept of tactility, movement, light and sound in the context of AI and to study how embodiment changes trust towards smart assistants. When using SleepMate, the results show that 76.5% of the participants feel more involved in the AI decision-making process. They have a better understanding of the system’s behaviour and greater trust in the correct execution of tasks and respect for privacy. 64.7% see advantages in physical interaction and embodiment of AI compared to voice control. The results provide a basis for future research on the effects of user interaction and embodiment in AI relationships.