Abstract
This research examines the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a collaborative teammate, focusing on how anthropomorphic design affects human-AI interactions. As AI shifts from tool to team member, understanding cognitive and psychological aspects of collaboration is crucial. The study investigates how AI’s physical, emotional, and personality attributes shape employees’ perceptions of AI as a teammate, considering the mediating role of Team-Member Exchange (TMX) and the moderating effect of openness to experience.
Using a quantitative approach, an experimental study simulates collaborative tasks with AI avatars varying in anthropomorphic design with surveys assess perceptions of AI anthropomorphism, openness to experience, TMX and attitudes toward AI.
Grounded in Symbolic Interactionist Role Theory, the model hypothesizes that anthropomorphic AI traits positively influence perceptions of AI as teammates, mediated by TMX and moderated by openness, offering insights for designing AI that integrates effectively into professional teams.