Practices of Using Chatbots with Artificial Intelligence by Russian Teenagers

The use of generative artificial intelligence is becoming widespread. Generative artificial intelligence is developing very quickly and unpredictably, so the level of risks for users is increasing. Users face algorithmic discrimination, bias, misinformation and nudges to change behavior. Teenagers are one of the most vulnerable groups who use neural network technologies in everyday life. They do not always understand the level of risks associated with new technologies, but at the same time they are often the pioneers and the most active users who are not afraid of experiment. An urgent scientific task is to study how teenagers use neural network technologies that can communicate with a person in natural language. Also of interest are adolescents' motives for using such technologies and how they evaluate possible risks. The research method is a survey of schoolchildren in grades 8-11 from two Russian regions - the Republic of Mordovia and the Donetsk People's Republic (n = 600). The study was carried out at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. It is revealed that teenagers, regardless of their region of residence, generally know what chatbots with artificial intelligence are. However, those who have experience using such chatbots are mainly young men with high academic achievements, studying in grades 10-11. Neural network technologies are perceived in a utilitarian way, as assistants or advanced Internet search engines. Based on the uses and gratifications theory, it is proved that there are four main motives in the structure of teenagers using chatbots motivation. The most common motive is cognitive, and delegating, communicative and gaming motives are not so common. It is found that the benefits of using technology "here and now" outweigh the possible risks of nudging towards certain behavior. Therefore, there is a need to control how adolescents use such technologies and teach them basic user skills.