Théo Marquis gave a presentation on November 4-5, 2021 at the 2021 Conference on Digital Experimentation @ MIT (CODE@MIT) (Virtual Conference), Boston, United-States. He presented Bad Nudge, Kids and Voice Assistants: A Social Preferences lab-in-the-field Experiment with Fabrice Le Guel (U. Paris-Saclay) and Serge Pajak (U. Paris-Saclay).
Abstract:
Connected devices using voice recognition as a form of input (Google Home, Amazon Echo, Apple Homepod) are increasingly popular. This mode of interaction introduces new possibilities to influence the user. How feasible is it for these devices to manipulate their audience, particularly children? This paper investigates the results of a lab-in-the field experiment conducted in a French primary school in July 2019, where a smart speaker, a robot and an adult were attempting to influence children in their choice of sharing marbles with other kids. We adapted a dictator game for the children audience then estimated the impact of two different nudging strategies (First-Person and Peer-Effect) on the outcome of the dictator game. During the interaction with the children, the nudges were less effective when they were implemented by the adult as compared to the voice assistants, shedding light on the potential that these emerging devices have when it comes to manipulating their vulnerable audience.