Association of AI Assistant Anthropomorphism with Occupational Burnout and Self-Efficacy Among Adult Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Relevance. The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) assistants in professional settings introduces new forms of human–technology interaction. Perceiving an AI assistant as a human-like partner may be associated with users' confidence in their abilities and various aspects of occupational well-being. Objective. To examine the associations between perceived AI assistant anthropomorphism and employees' confidence in using AI, occupational self-efficacy, and two dimensions of occupational burnout: exhaustion and disengagement from work. Methods. Data from a cross-sectional online survey were analyzed. The initial dataset comprised 704 responses, of which 665 participants met the eligibility criteria for employment and regular AI use. After excluding four respondents who failed both attention checks, the final analytical sample consisted of 661 participants. The mean age was 30.06 years (SD = 7.34). Measures included the Godspeed, AISES, OSS, and OLBI scales. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency estimates, correlation analyses, and regression models were calculated. The interaction between perceived anthropomorphism and prior experience with AI was also examined. Results. The anthropomorphism measure (GOD_A) was positively correlated with the AI assistance and self-efficacy measure (AISES_AS; r = 0.148, 95% CI [0.073, 0.222], p < 0.001). Correlations with exhaustion (r = −0.010, p = 0.792) and disengagement (r = 0.024, p = 0.540) were not statistically significant. After controlling for AI use experience, age, and workload, the GOD_A coefficient in the AISES_AS regression model was β = 0.070 (p = 0.082). A statistically significant interaction between anthropomorphism and AI use experience was identified (b = 0.114, 95% CI [0.037, 0.191], p = 0.004). Conclusions. Perceived AI assistant anthropomorphism is associated with employees' confidence in using AI, with the nature of this association varying according to prior experience with the technology. No statistically significant direct association was identified between anthropomorphism and occupational burnout. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation into the psychological dimensions of AI implementation in organizational settings.