Exploring Older Adults’ Use of AI Voice Assistants Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

Aging often reduces opportunities for everyday interaction and instrumental support, raising questions about the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in later-life well-being. This study examined how AI voice assistants may fulfill, or fall short of, older adults' basic psychological needs through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Eighteen U.S.-based community-dwelling older adults (ages 66-85) participated in a two-week AI voice assistant trial and completed daily diaries and pre- and post-intervention surveys. Using mixed methods, qualitative thematic analysis and large language model-assisted content analysis, we analyzed 237 diary entries (1,512 sentences) across three SDT dimensions: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Findings reveal voice assistants primarily supported autonomy (medication reminders, safety, emotional regulation) and competence (task accomplishment, activity maintenance), with experiences remaining largely consistent across the two-week period. Relatedness responses were the most divided: some participants valued companionship features while others found them inauthentic or uncomfortable. Despite positive daily experiences, loneliness and life satisfaction showed no significant change. These findings suggest that the benefits of AI voice assistants for older adults may be more evident in supporting everyday autonomy and competence than in addressing social isolation, and that psychological benefits of short-term use may not immediately translate into changes in global well-being outcomes.