Large Language Model Use Impact Locus of Control

TL;DR

This study investigates how co-writing with AI influences users' perception of personal agency, revealing employment status as a key factor affecting reliance on AI and locus of control shifts.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the psychological effects of AI co-writing, highlighting the role of employment status in shaping reliance and control perceptions.

Findings

Employed users show higher reliance on AI and internal locus of control.

Unemployed users tend to experience reduced personal agency.

AI's influence varies significantly based on employment status.

Abstract

As AI tools increasingly shape how we write, they may also quietly reshape how we perceive ourselves. This paper explores the psychological impact of co-writing with AI on people's locus of control. Through an empirical study with 462 participants, we found that employment status plays a critical role in shaping users' reliance on AI and their locus of control. Current results demonstrated that employed participants displayed higher reliance on AI and a shift toward internal control, while unemployed users tended to experience a reduction in personal agency. Through quantitative results and qualitative observations, this study opens a broader conversation about AI's role in shaping personal agency and identity.