Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models
Published on: December 23, 2025
Generative AI versus human conversational agent for reducing procrastination: A randomized pilot trial
Severin Hennemann1,2, Julia M Fähnrich1, Cornelius Tietze1
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Objectives:
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbots in mental health interventions is rapidly evolving, but evidence of their efficacy and safety is scarce. This randomized pilot trial investigated the feasibility, efficacy, mechanisms, and unwanted effects of a generative AI chatbot (ChatGPT-4) vs. human conversational agent as a cognitive behavioral micro-intervention for procrastination.
Methods:
62 university students (Mage 23.60 years, 93.5% female) were analyzed and assigned (concealed) to a three-session chat-based intervention with either the chatbot or human conversional agent. Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was self-reported procrastination. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, worry, and rumination. Additionally, unwanted negative effects and common factors of therapeutic change were assessed.
Results:
Intention-to-treat analyses revealed a non-significant group × time interaction effect (p = .117, η2 p = 0.05). Unwanted negative effects at post-assessment were reported by 43.1% of participants, with no significant group difference. Common factors were rated similarly across groups and did not mediate change in procrastination.
Conclusions:
Our findings do not indicate superiority of either conversational agent and both interventions had comparable, rather high rates of unwanted effects, indicating that more research in larger, clinically meaningful samples is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of AI-based (micro-)interventions.
Related Concept Videos
Randomized Experiments
Simple randomization
Simple...
Avoidance Learning and Learned Helplessness
Avoidance learning occurs when an organism learns that a specific behavior can prevent an unpleasant outcome. For example, a student who receives a bad grade may start studying harder to avoid future poor grades. This behavior persists even when the negative outcome is no longer present. Avoidance learning is powerful because it maintains behavior in the absence of the...
Motivational Bias
Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
Decision Making: Traditional Method
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...