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Relational intelligence in AI chatbots: Examining the trust-engagement-emotion-social presence model using PLS-SEM
Yang Wang1, Asif Ali Safeer1, Yewang Zhou1
1Business School, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, China.
Plos One
|August 14, 2026
Summary
AI chatbots build customer relationships through personalization, interactivity, and ease of use, fostering trust and emotional connection. Chatbot social presence enhances engagement, crucial for deeper tourist-AI connections in travel.
Area of Science:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Consumer Psychology
Background:
- AI-driven chatbots are increasingly central to customer interactions, shifting from transactional roles to relationship building.
- Understanding the mechanisms by which AI chatbots foster customer relationships is crucial for businesses.
- The travel industry presents a unique context for exploring AI chatbot-driven relationship development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how AI chatbot determinants (personalization, interactivity, ease of use) influence customer-chatbot relationship outcomes (engagement, emotional connection).
- To examine the mediating role of chatbot trust and the moderating role of social presence in the travel industry.
- To identify key factors for fostering emotional connections between tourists and AI chatbots.
Main Methods:
- Online survey administered to 690 Chinese tourists who regularly use AI chatbots for travel.
- Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for quantitative analysis.
- Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to identify necessary and sufficient conditions.
Main Results:
- Personalization, interactivity, and ease of use significantly increase chatbot trust, leading to enhanced engagement and emotional connection.
- Chatbot trust mediates the relationship between chatbot determinants and relational outcomes.
- Engagement positively impacts emotional connection, and chatbot social presence amplifies engagement.
Conclusions:
- AI chatbot attributes directly influence trust, engagement, and emotional connection in the travel sector.
- Chatbot social presence plays a significant moderating role in enhancing user engagement.
- Personalization, ease of use, and engagement are identified as critical elements for building emotional bonds with AI chatbots.
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