Enhancing learner satisfaction through human-like digital instructors: an empirical study on the role of visual and verbal human likeness in e-learning

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enabled the creation of digital human instructors with human-like visual and verbal characteristics. This study investigates the impact of human likeness on learner satisfaction within e-learning environments, drawing on the “Uncanny Valley” theory and the Experience Economy model. The research utilizes educational videos featuring AI-generated digital human instructors, examining how both visual and verbal human likeness influence learner experiences across four key dimensions: education, entertainment, aesthetics, and escapism. Data were collected from 204 participants through an online survey, and the results reveal that higher levels of human likeness in digital instructors significantly enhance learner satisfaction through improved educational experiences. Additionally, the study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings, emphasizing the importance of optimizing human likeness in the design of digital instructors to achieve superior e-learning outcomes. The study also identifies areas for future research, including the integration of non-verbal communication elements and the exploration of gender effects in digital human technology.