Do Generative AI Tools Foster Positive Experiences in Knowledge Work? A NeuroIS Research Proposal

Generative AI has seen a significant rise in its performance and use in various fields, including academia, art, design, and software engineering. However, little research has been conducted on how users interact with AI tools. This article proposes a research project that focuses on the elicitation of positive psychological experiences, such as flow, when an individual is fully immersed in a task and feels highly effective and satisfied. The study aims to investigate how AI tools may promote flow experiences by regulating cognitive load to flow-conducive levels through providing initial solutions to demanding tasks or shifting user demands from monotonous tasks to more challenging ones. The study will utilize wearable EEG recordings to generate objective insights into the dynamics of cognitive load and flow during early project stages. The research could lead to the development of neuro-adaptive recommender agents that propose AI invocation when undesirable load levels are detected.