Understanding the Influence of Agent Embodiment on Intention to Use: The Mediating Role of Perceived Capabilities and Social Presence

Recent embodiment research has focused on the preference and intention to use physical versus depicted agents. This has overlooked non-embodied agents and failed to explore the underlying mechanisms of embodiment. To address these gaps, we included a non-embodied agent and measured perceived capabilities and social presence as possible mediators for intention to use in our within-subjects laboratory experiment ( N = 36). Regarding participants’ intention, when physical and depicted were compared, a positive effect appeared, which disappeared once mediators were accounted for. When physical and absent were compared, no significant effect on intention to use was found and even became negative once mediators were added. Additional analyses showed positive effects of physical embodiment for perceived physical and communicative capabilities, shared experience, co-presence, and preference. Overall, findings revealed that although physical embodiment versus depicted and absent increased perceived capabilities and social presence, it did not automatically result in higher intention to use.