Why Does Perceived Humanness Predict AI Use Intention? The Mediating Roles of Perceived Values and Perceived Risk

Nowadays artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely used in the healthcare industry. AI can provide improved healthcare services by advancing technologies and individuals expect AI’s human-like responses. This study aims to understand how the perceived humanness of AI influences individuals’ use intention of AI in health consultations. In view of the influencing mechanism model, this study carries out an in-depth study. This study develops a model to explore the relationship among perceived humanness, AI use intention, perceived values (utilitarian value and hedonic value), and perceived risk (PR). Meanwhile, it tests the mediating roles of perceived values and perceived risk on the relationship between perceived humanness and AI use intention. 275 university students were involved in this study. Results show that perceived utilitarian value and perceived hedonic value fully mediate the relationship, while perceived risk could not show a significant effect. This study shows evidence of why designing AI with perceived humanness increases users’ intention in health consultations.