Visualizing Artificial Intelligence Companions Through Augmented Reality

Citation

Kao JS & Kao K (2026) Visualizing Artificial Intelligence Companions Through Augmented Reality. Communications in Computer and Information Science. 28th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Montreal, QC, Canada, 26.07.2026-31.07.2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-30816-0_3

Abstract
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), powered by large language models (LLMs), has significantly advanced the capability of embodied conversational agents (ECAs) to simulate human attributes such as empathy and understanding. While these systems are increasingly utilized as companions to mitigate loneliness, current visualizations are primarily restricted to screen-based devices, such as monitors and smartphones. Considering the companionship development, this reliance on the “screen world” creates a physical barrier that distances AI from the user’s real-world context, preventing the development of co-presence—the subjective sense of being physically co-located with the companion. Furthermore, user attachment in these systems is often limited to machine heuristics, where trust is fostered through the efficiency and consistency of verbal interactions rather than integrated visual presence. To address these limitations, this study introduces a conceptual framework that aims to explore AI companion at a different level, Augmented Reality Artificial Intelligence (ARAI). By leveraging AR glasses and embedded sensors, ARAI enables virtual companions to be perceived as integrated components of the physical environment. This transition from 2D screens to a 360° vantage point enhances perceived realism—the plausibility that an interaction could occur within the user’s actual space—fostering a “seeing-is-believing” effect. The framework proposes two communication modalities: dynamic, which utilizes adaptive movement to increase psychological connectedness, and idle, where the companion performs independent, human-like tasks (e.g., sitting on a sofa) to reinforce psychological bonds. Ultimately, ARAI aims to enhance behavioural realism and social presence, opening new opportunities for human–AI relationships in daily life.

Keywords
Augmented Reality; Artificial Intelligence; AI Companions; Co-Presence; Perceived Realism