Empower the user - The impact of functional understanding training on usage, social perception, and self-determined interactions with intelligent voice assistants

Intelligent voice assistants (IVAs) such as Alexa or Siri are voice-based AI systems that support users in various tasks with simple voice commands, making everyday life easier. However, users tend to have only a superficial understanding of the technological functionality of IVAs, leading to misconceptions and usage risks. To foster a self-determined interaction with IVAs, developing specific AI-related competencies, such as a comprehensive functional understanding, is essential. Three online training modules were developed based on learning psychology and media didactics principles to deepen the functional understanding of IVAs and empower self-determined use. In total, 180 participants participated in the training modules. Results show that participating in the training improves functional understanding. Furthermore, it promotes the intention to interact with IVAs in a self-determined way. For example, participants reported an increased desire to explore IVAs, re-evaluate their ease of use, and perceive IVAs as less anthropomorphic. The study highlights the importance of specific AI competencies and shows how targeted training can strengthen them. In light of current technological progress, these competencies are discussed as prerequisites of self-determined usage behavior. •Knowledge gaps and misunderstandings jeopardize self-determined interaction with voice-based AI systems (IVAs).•IVA functional understanding training can minimize misconceptions and risks like anthropomorphism and privacy issues.•Deeper functional understanding encourages reflective interaction and reduces the disclosure of personal information.•The applied training approach can be extended to other AI-related skills to promote self-determined AI interactions.