Name: Emily Gleaton 

Master’s Thesis Proposal Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 13th, 2022
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Click here to join meeting 

Advisor:
Richard Catrambone, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)
 
Thesis Committee Members: 
Richard Catrambone, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Phil Ackerman, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Brad Fain, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Bruce Walker, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Title: Understanding Abandonment of Home AI Devices  

Abstract:  There is an abundance of literature that examines technology acceptance; however, less is known about technology that was accepted and later abandoned. Understanding technology abandonment is vital because this information can be used to help developers create products that are optimized for human use. To better understand technology abandonment, the proposed work seeks to critically examine the various theories that contributed to the development of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its subsequent variations to pinpoint shortcomings. Specifically, this proposal will serve as a starting point for a program of research that will attempt to model the relationship between individual differences, social motivation, and device characteristics that contribute to the abandonment of home AI technology. Participants (102) will complete an interview along with various survey measures that focus on device usability, the impulsiveness of the individual, and decision making. Understanding the relationship and contribution of the many factors that lead to the abandonment of home AI technologies can allow for informed decisions regarding the design, instructional materials, and marketing of this technology. The results of the proposed work will also be used to facilitate improved user satisfaction.