How do avatar characteristics affect applicants' interactional justice perceptions in artificial intelligence-based job interviews?

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based job interviews are increasingly adopted in organizations' recruitment activities. Despite their standardization and flexibility, concerns about fairness for applicants remain a critical challenge. Taking a perspective on interface design, this research examines the role of avatar characteristics in shaping perceptions of interactional justice in AI-based job interviews. Through a scenario-based study involving 465 participants, the impact of avatar characteristics—specifically, appearance, linguistic style, and feedback informativeness—on applicants' perceptions of interpersonal justice and informational justice was investigated. The findings indicate that avatars characterized by a warm and cheerful appearance, coupled with an affective expression style and informative feedback, significantly enhance perceptions of interpersonal justice and informational justice. These insights offer valuable practical guidance for avatar design in AI-based job interview systems.