Night Owls, Social Bots: Late Chronotypes More Likely to Embrace AI with Social-Relational Use
Heng Li · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · 2026
The present work investigated how chronotype relates to specific patterns of AI-based tool use. We theorized that late chronotype is associated with greater relational (vs. functional) use of AI technologies through heightened loneliness, given the loneliness-alleviating benefits of AI companions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted four studies involving diverse populations (students and community adults) and multiple measures of AI acceptance (self-report and behavioral indices). In Study 1, late chronotype students exhibited more favorable attitudes toward relational use of AI. Study 2 extended these findings to a community-based adult sample and provided behavioral-level confirmation of the relationship. In Studies 3 and 4, we employed distinct behavioral indicators of AI acceptance (e.g., donation preferences) and obtained consistent results. Moreover, the results showed that feelings of loneliness played a mediating role in explaining the observed association. Together, these findings suggest that individual differences in chronotype are correlated with human-technology interaction patterns.