Perceived authenticity of virtual characters makes the difference

Abstract

Conventionally, human-controlled and machine-controlled virtual characters are studied separately under different theoretical frameworks based on the ontological nature of the particular virtual character. However, in recent years, the technological advancement has made the boundaries between human and machine agency increasingly blurred. This manuscript proposes a theoretical framework that can explain how various virtual characters, regardless of their ontological agency, can be treated as unique social actors with a focus on perceived authenticity. Specifically, drawing on the authenticity model in computer-mediated communication proposed by Lee (2020) and a typology of virtual characters, a multi-layered perceived authenticity model is proposed to demonstrate how virtual characters do not have to be perceived as humans and yet can be perceived as authentic to their human interactants.

Credibility and altered communication styles of AI graders in the classroom

“…Meaningful interactions with AI rely on a sense of realness or authenticity. However, authenticity is difficult to define in HMC since it has been conflated with other concepts (Huang & Jung, 2022). Regarding AI, chatbots, and social robots that mimic human expressions and movements, the idea of realness is a struggle between genuine representation and user acceptance (Zhang et al, 2020).…”

Visual Indicators Representing Avatars' Authenticity in Social Virtual Reality and Their Impacts on Perceived Trustworthiness

“…Huang and Jung [22] defined the perceived authenticity of virtual humans as "whether the virtual characters' claimed identities are perceived as authentic." For social VR citizens, authenticity is whether an avatar's designed social or individual identities are consistent with the claimed identity of the person controlling it.…”