SATO Wataru Laboratory

Android embodiment with facial mimicry may enhance emotional responses during conversations with AI agents


(Sato, Kawamura, Shimokawa, KubotaC& Minato: Telemat Inform Rep)


The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) agents to engage in emotional conversations with humans is attracting increasing attention.
Previous studies suggested that conversational agents powered by large language models such as ChatGPT can engage in emotionally competent conversations with humans.

However, whether verbal communication alone is sufficient or whether nonverbal communication might exert additive effects on emotional conversations remains unknown.

We conducted an experiment to examine whether android embodiment influenced emotional responses during interactions with conversational AI agents.
Participants engaged in positive emotional conversations with ChatGPT via the interface of either an android robot exhibiting facial mimicry or a blank display.
We measured their emotional experiences in terms of valence and arousal, as well as facial electromyography of the corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major muscles and skin conductance level during conversations.



Participants reported significantly more positive valence ratings, and showed greater zygomaticus major EMG activity when interacting with the android than with the display.
No significant effects were observed for arousal, corrugator EMG activity, or skin conductance level.





These findings provide initial evidence that android embodiment may contribute to enhanced positive emotional responses during conversations with AI agents.


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