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.