Measuring the Intelligence of Virtual Anchors in E-Commerce: Scale Development and Validation from a Human–Computer Interaction Perspective

E-commerce virtual anchors’ live-streaming sales represent a critical intersection of virtual human technology and artificial intelligence (AI), paving the way for new developments in digital marketing. Recent advancements in AI have significantly enhanced the intelligence of virtual anchors, driving increased consumer acceptance. As intelligence is a key determinant of user adoption, this study employs a mixed-methods approach combining grounded theory and quantitative analysis to conceptualize, structure, and measure virtual anchor intelligence. The grounded theory results reveal that virtual anchor intelligence encompasses multiple capabilities—manifested in guidance, recognition, analysis, and feedback during human–computer interaction, which enable effective hosting and sales performance. Four core dimensions of intelligence are identified: guidance intelligence, recognition intelligence, analysis intelligence, and feedback intelligence. Following established protocols for scale development, we constructed and validated an 18-item measurement scale, demonstrating strong reliability and validity. Empirical findings indicate that while guidance intelligence exerts an adverse effect on consumer participation, the remaining dimensions have positive effects, mediated by perceived shopping value. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and measuring virtual anchor intelligence, elucidating its underlying mechanisms. The findings lay a theoretical foundation for future research on e-commerce virtual anchors but also offer practical implications for optimizing live-streaming strategies and advancing the design of virtual humans.