Factors Influencing Willingness to Use AI Companions (AICs)

Welcome
You are invited to participate in a short survey about factors that may influence willingness to use AI companions.
In this survey, an AI companion refers to an artificial intelligence system, app, or chatbot designed to provide ongoing social or emotional interaction, such as conversation, companionship, comfort, or support. Examples may include relational chatbots or companion-oriented AI applications.
Your participation is voluntary. You may choose not to answer any question, and you may stop the survey at any time. Your responses will be anonymous. This survey is intended for class project demonstration purposes.
This survey is organized into four sections: Prior Experience with AI and AI Companions, Acceptance of Emerging Technology, Health Beliefs, and Mental Health. The layout uses a consistent format, spacing, and typography across sections to make the survey easier to read and complete.
Stop and return: Participants may leave the survey at any time. Because this version is a class web-survey mockup displayed on RPubs, responses are not saved for later return. In a full survey platform such as Qualtrics, a stop-and-return feature would be enabled so participants could resume later.
Please begin the survey below.
Instructions
Please answer each question as honestly as possible. Unless otherwise noted, select the response that best reflects your view or experience.
Section 1: Prior Experience with AI and AI Companions
1.1 Have you ever used a general AI tool, such as ChatGPT or Gemini?
Yes
No
1.2 Have you ever used an AI companion?
Yes
No
1.3 What would make you more likely or less likely to use an AI companion in the future?
Section 2: Acceptance of Emerging Technology
2.1 How easy or difficult do you think it would be to learn how to use an AI companion?
Very difficult
Somewhat difficult
Neither easy nor difficult
Somewhat easy
Very easy
2.2 How useful do you think an AI companion would be in your daily life?
Not at all useful
Slightly useful
Moderately useful
Very useful
Extremely useful
2.3 How enjoyable do you think it would be to interact with an AI companion?
Not at all enjoyable
Slightly enjoyable
Moderately enjoyable
Very enjoyable
Extremely enjoyable
Section 3: Health Beliefs
3.1 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “An AI companion could help reduce feelings of loneliness or emotional distress.”
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
3.2 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “There are too many drawbacks to using an AI companion for emotional support.”
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
3.3 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “When people feel lonely or emotionally overwhelmed, using an AI companion could be a reasonable option.”
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
Section 4: Mental Health
4.1 How often do you feel isolated from other people?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very often
4.2 In the last month or so, how often have you felt depressed?
Never
Sometimes
About half the time
Most of the time
Always
4.3 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “I would be concerned about privacy or data security if I used an AI companion.”
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree

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