Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation
Abstract In a series of four online experimental studies (total N = 3,562), we investigated the performance augmentation effect and psychological deprivation effect of human-generative AI (GenAI) collaboration in professional settings. Our findings consistently demonstrated that collaboration with G...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98385-2 |
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| _version_ | 1849314706420924416 |
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| author | Suqing Wu Yukun Liu Mengqi Ruan Siyu Chen Xiao-Yun Xie |
| author_facet | Suqing Wu Yukun Liu Mengqi Ruan Siyu Chen Xiao-Yun Xie |
| author_sort | Suqing Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In a series of four online experimental studies (total N = 3,562), we investigated the performance augmentation effect and psychological deprivation effect of human-generative AI (GenAI) collaboration in professional settings. Our findings consistently demonstrated that collaboration with GenAI enhanced immediate task performance. However, this performance augmentation effect did not persist in subsequent tasks performed independently by humans. Importantly, transitioning from collaboration with GenAI to solo work led to an increased sense of control of human workers, and was also accompanied by significant decreases in intrinsic motivation and increases in feelings of boredom. These results highlight the complex dual effects of human-GenAI collaboration: It enhances immediate task performance but can undermine long-term psychological experiences of human workers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4780b0490cf249a0a72eb4da2a2149dd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-4780b0490cf249a0a72eb4da2a2149dd2025-08-20T03:52:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115113010.1038/s41598-025-98385-2Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivationSuqing Wu0Yukun Liu1Mengqi Ruan2Siyu Chen3Xiao-Yun Xie4School of Management, Zhejiang UniversitySchool of Management, Zhejiang UniversitySchool of Management, Zhejiang UniversitySchool of Management, Zhejiang UniversitySchool of Management, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract In a series of four online experimental studies (total N = 3,562), we investigated the performance augmentation effect and psychological deprivation effect of human-generative AI (GenAI) collaboration in professional settings. Our findings consistently demonstrated that collaboration with GenAI enhanced immediate task performance. However, this performance augmentation effect did not persist in subsequent tasks performed independently by humans. Importantly, transitioning from collaboration with GenAI to solo work led to an increased sense of control of human workers, and was also accompanied by significant decreases in intrinsic motivation and increases in feelings of boredom. These results highlight the complex dual effects of human-GenAI collaboration: It enhances immediate task performance but can undermine long-term psychological experiences of human workers.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98385-2 |
| spellingShingle | Suqing Wu Yukun Liu Mengqi Ruan Siyu Chen Xiao-Yun Xie Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation Scientific Reports |
| title | Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation |
| title_full | Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation |
| title_fullStr | Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation |
| title_short | Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation |
| title_sort | human generative ai collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human s intrinsic motivation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98385-2 |
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