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AI-powered promises: The influence of ChatGPT on trust and trustworthiness

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  • Greevink, Ivo
  • Offerman, Theo
  • Romagnoli, Giorgia

Abstract

Amidst the growing popularity of AI language models, we study the potential impacts of AI-facilitated communication on trust and trustworthiness. With a laboratory experiment, we compare traditional communication with communication assisted by ChatGPT in a between-subjects design. We find that participants with access to ChatGPT make promises more frequently, while their promise-keeping rate diminishes. Overall, we do not observe effects on trust and trustworthiness rates. However, with ChatGPT, participants coordinate less often on the trust outcome. Our most striking finding is that with ChatGPT the presence of a promise becomes a completely irrelevant cue of who will reciprocate trust.

Suggested Citation

  • Greevink, Ivo & Offerman, Theo & Romagnoli, Giorgia, 2026. "AI-powered promises: The influence of ChatGPT on trust and trustworthiness," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:246:y:2026:i:c:s0167268126001241
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2026.107538
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    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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