AI Anthropomorphism and Athlete Engagement: The Critical Role of Human Coach AI Endorsement

Abstract

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes a central partner in sports training, integrating these systems into the existing coach-athlete hierarchy remains a challenge. This study explores how AI training-aid anthropomorphism impacts athlete training engagement. Drawing on social presence theory, we propose that anthropomorphic AI designs enhance engagement by creating a sense of automated social presence. Furthermore, we introduce the human coach as a critical boundary condition, hypothesizing that coach endorsement legitimizes the AI's social role. Utilizing a field survey, we find that while AI anthropomorphism positively influences engagement via social presence, this effect is significantly stronger when endorsed by the coach. Conversely, low coach endorsement suppresses the benefits of human-like AI features. These findings offer actionable insights for designing “coach-augmenting” sports technologies that harmonize with human authority.

Ähnliche Arbeiten