Playing against AI might boost your confidence when teaming up with real players.

      Artificial intelligence is frequently criticized for diminishing social interactions among people. Whether it's due to AI taking over conversations, decreasing teamwork, or making gaming experiences feel less personal, the discourse has remained relatively constant. However, a recent study indicates that the opposite may also be the case. In fact, AI could be subtly motivating individuals to spend more time with their friends.

      Researchers examining PUBG: Battlegrounds found that the inclusion of AI-controlled adversaries in multiplayer games did not lead to player isolation. Instead, it increased players' confidence, encouraged longer play sessions, and led to more frequent collaboration with friends. The results, which will be published in the journal Information Systems Research, provide a compelling viewpoint on how AI can enhance user experiences rather than just automating them.

      AI opponents as a source of confidence

      Since its launch in 2017, PUBG quickly became one of the largest multiplayer games globally. However, like many competitive online games, it soon faced a common challenge: veteran players became so skilled that new players found it hard to enjoy the game.

      Liangfei Qiu, a professor at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and co-author of the study, noted that seasoned players inadvertently create a barrier for newcomers. “During the peak of the game, there are many experienced players, making it discouraging for new players to join since they are often defeated,” Qiu explained.

      To tackle this issue, PUBG developer Krafton introduced AI-controlled opponents into select matches in 2020. These bots were not meant to overpower players but were designed to perform slightly below the typical human competitor, thereby allowing newer players a fair chance to learn the game, endure longer, and achieve victories. The clever element was that players were aware of the bots' presence in matches but could not distinguish which opponents were AI and which were actual players. This uncertainty made every win feel authentic, regardless of who was being defeated.

      Increased confidence fostering better teamwork

      The effects were greater than many anticipated. After the introduction of AI opponents, researchers noticed that players spent approximately 50 percent more time in PUBG and participated in significantly more matches. More importantly, they were not just accumulating easy wins against bots.

      Team collaboration rose by 28 percent, suggesting that players who gained confidence from early successes were more inclined to team up with friends instead of playing alone. The researchers believe that the hidden AI adversaries improved a concept in psychology known as self-efficacy, or the belief in one's ability to succeed. As players started to feel more capable, they became increasingly comfortable engaging in team-oriented matches and taking responsibility for their teammates' success.

      Qiu believes this notion extends far beyond gaming. Instead of viewing AI purely as a substitute for human workers, he suggests that well-designed AI systems can act as training partners, aiding individuals in building skills before facing more difficult tasks. Whether it pertains to onboarding a new employee, instructing someone in new software, or helping novices learn a competitive game, AI might serve as a confidence-boosting tool rather than merely another means of automation.

      This serves as an intriguing reminder that the most effective use of AI isn't always about replacing humans; at times, it’s about quietly assisting them in improving their collaborative efforts both in work and play.