Fostering well-being: Exploring the influence of user-AI assistant relationship types on subjective well-being

Abstract

As one of the essential components of daily life, artificial intelligence (AI) assistants gradually form a relationship with users as either servant or partner. This study employed a mixed-methods approach integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine the influence of various user-AI assistant relationship types on subjective well-being. The results indicate that partnerships are more conducive to fostering subjective well-being in users than master-servant relationships. This influence is mediated through social support, which encompasses both informational support and emotional support, and is moderated by the presence of feelings of social loneliness. These findings contribute to the available literature on user-AI relationships and subjective well-being and can inform the market launch of AI assistants.