What does this research mean for the field?

Students interacting with AI tutors exhibit near-universal, low-level instrumental anthropomorphization that is heavily influenced by linguistic conventions and disciplinary norms, even while remaining fully aware of the AI's nonhuman nature. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to understand how students perceive AI tutors, particularly whether they attribute human-like characteristics to them.

July 12, 2026Telematics and Informatics ReportsOpen Access

Talking to a tutor or typing to a tool? A qualitative study of anthropomorphism in conversations between students and an AI tutor

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Authors

RNRenáta Németh VBViktor Berger MSMiklós Szabó

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Overview

Qualitative study examines student perceptions and interactions with an AI tutor, revealing varied anthropomorphic responses.

Key Points

This research aims to understand how students perceive AI tutors, particularly whether they attribute human-like characteristics to them.
Utilized a qualitative methodology informed by phenomenology.
Analyzed data from student-AI interactions across various academic disciplines.
Employed a sociolinguistic approach to investigate conversational norms and responses.
Identified a pattern of low-level instrumental anthropomorphization in student interactions.
Computer science students treated the AI as a technical tool, while social science students engaged more human-like dialogues.
Friendlier language resulted in more responsive answers from the AI, while technical prompts yielded mechanical replies.

Cite This Study

Németh et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a53315f4f7abc118aded988 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2026.100348

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July 12, 2026Telematics and Informatics ReportsOpen Access

Talking to a tutor or typing to a tool? A qualitative study of anthropomorphism in conversations between students and an AI tutor

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RNRenáta Németh VBViktor Berger MSMiklós Szabó

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Qualitative study examines student perceptions and interactions with an AI tutor, revealing varied anthropomorphic responses.

Key Points

This research aims to understand how students perceive AI tutors, particularly whether they attribute human-like characteristics to them.
Utilized a qualitative methodology informed by phenomenology.
Analyzed data from student-AI interactions across various academic disciplines.
Employed a sociolinguistic approach to investigate conversational norms and responses.
Identified a pattern of low-level instrumental anthropomorphization in student interactions.
Computer science students treated the AI as a technical tool, while social science students engaged more human-like dialogues.
Friendlier language resulted in more responsive answers from the AI, while technical prompts yielded mechanical replies.

Cite This Study

Németh et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a53315f4f7abc118aded988 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2026.100348

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark