Examining children's perceptions of AI-enabled interactive media characters

Young children may develo\attachments or perceive realism in television characters due to interactive techniques like faux eye contact and pretend interactions during video watching. As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, the potential for real-time, contingent interactions with characters has emerged, potentially reshaping children's perceptions of these characters as responsive entities. This article presents findings from two experiments conducted as part of a multi-year project aimed at integrating AI into television animation series. In this project, the main characters of the series ask children questions, listen to their responses, and provide responsive feedback. The findings suggest that interactive characters, which engage viewers through contingent dialogues, are perceived as more human-like. Follow-up analyses also revealed that the opportunities for contingent interactions with the media character were the primary reason that drove such perceptions. This study contributes to advancing understanding of the mechanisms underlying children's evolving relationships with interactive media characters, a trend likely to gain prominence in the years to come.