Age and User Perceptions of Virtual Humans: A Survey-Based Analysis

Poonam Patil; Surej Mouli

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1_27

Age and User Perceptions of Virtual Humans: A Survey-Based Analysis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

Abstract

Virtual Humans (VHs), the AI-powered and photorealistic multimodal digital agents are capable of simulating human-to-human interactions. They are increasingly deployed across ubiquitous computing environments to support essential services in healthcare, education, and customer service. Yet, sustained user engagement remains a challenge. This study investigates how age influences user perceptions and adoption intentions of VHs across three dimensions: perceived wellbeing benefits, likelihood of use, and contextual usefulness. A cross-sectional online survey (N = 773) was conducted using a stratified age sample (18–80 years). Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between age and all three dimensions of VH perceptions, with young adults (18–30) and adults (31–50) consistently reporting higher belief in VH effectiveness and stronger intent to use. Older participants showed selective endorsement, often tied to specific use cases. These findings underscore the need for age-inclusive VH design that supports trust, usability, and relevance across ambient and assistive contexts. The study offers actionable insights for developing adaptive, user-centred VH systems that promote equitable access to wellbeing and quality of life enhancing interactive technologies. The paper discusses implications for ubiquitous human-agent interaction design and future research on age-aware digital agents. This study contributes to advancing inclusive human-computer interaction within Ambient, Active, and Assisted Living (A3L) environments.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 25th ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents
Editors	José Bravo, Jesús Fontecha, Joaquín Ballesteros
Publisher	Springer
Pages	290-302
Volume	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1_27
Publication status	Published - 17 Apr 2026
Event	International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing and Ambient Intelligence - Florence, Italy Duration: 26 Nov 2025 → 28 Nov 2025

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Publisher	Springer
ISSN (Print)	2367-3370
ISSN (Electronic)	2367-3389

Conference

Conference	International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing and Ambient Intelligence
Abbreviated title	UCAmI 2025
Country/Territory	Italy
City	Florence
Period	26/11/25 → 28/11/25

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. This version of the paper has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use [https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-science/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms], but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1_27

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Virtual Humans
Age-inclusive Design
User Perception
Adoption Intentions

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1_27

Cite this

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title = "Age and User Perceptions of Virtual Humans: A Survey-Based Analysis",

abstract = "Virtual Humans (VHs), the AI-powered and photorealistic multimodal digital agents are capable of simulating human-to-human interactions. They are increasingly deployed across ubiquitous computing environments to support essential services in healthcare, education, and customer service. Yet, sustained user engagement remains a challenge. This study investigates how age influences user perceptions and adoption intentions of VHs across three dimensions: perceived wellbeing benefits, likelihood of use, and contextual usefulness. A cross-sectional online survey (N = 773) was conducted using a stratified age sample (18–80 years). Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between age and all three dimensions of VH perceptions, with young adults (18–30) and adults (31–50) consistently reporting higher belief in VH effectiveness and stronger intent to use. Older participants showed selective endorsement, often tied to specific use cases. These findings underscore the need for age-inclusive VH design that supports trust, usability, and relevance across ambient and assistive contexts. The study offers actionable insights for developing adaptive, user-centred VH systems that promote equitable access to wellbeing and quality of life enhancing interactive technologies. The paper discusses implications for ubiquitous human-agent interaction design and future research on age-aware digital agents. This study contributes to advancing inclusive human-computer interaction within Ambient, Active, and Assisted Living (A3L) environments.",

keywords = "Virtual Humans, Age-inclusive Design, User Perception, Adoption Intentions",

author = "Poonam Patil and Surej Mouli",

note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. This version of the paper has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature{\textquoteright}s AM terms of use [https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-science/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms], but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1\_27; International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing and Ambient Intelligence, UCAmI 2025 ; Conference date: 26-11-2025 Through 28-11-2025",

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language = "English",

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publisher = "Springer",

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Patil, P & Mouli, S 2026, Age and User Perceptions of Virtual Humans: A Survey-Based Analysis. in J Bravo, J Fontecha & J Ballesteros (eds), Proceedings of the 25th ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents. vol. 1, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, Springer, pp. 290-302, International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing and Ambient Intelligence, Florence, Italy, 26/11/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1_27

Age and User Perceptions of Virtual Humans: A Survey-Based Analysis. / Patil, Poonam ; Mouli, Surej.
Proceedings of the 25th ACM International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents. ed. / José Bravo; Jesús Fontecha; Joaquín Ballesteros. Vol. 1 Springer, 2026. p. 290-302 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

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N1 - Copyright © 2026 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG. This version of the paper has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use [https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-science/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms], but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16992-1_27

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ER -

Age and User Perceptions of Virtual Humans: A Survey-Based Analysis

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this