Simon Says vs Siri Says: Impact of Human versus AI narrating on Memory

Authors

• Ellie R. Range, Belmont UniversityFollow
• Josie A. Ekle, Belmont UniversityFollow
• Beth M. Johns, Belmont UniversityFollow

Publication Date

Fall 2026

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Sciences and Neurosciences, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Michael Oliver

Presentation Type

Metadata Only

Abstract

Due to its increasing relevance, recent research has explored the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) audio and its impact on cognition, emotion, and processing. Studies done previously have indicated varying results of the impact of AI voices on memory and human preference in the media. EEG studies found structural processing differences, and behavioral research indicated varying results surrounding memory recall. The goal of this study is to explore the impact of AI voices on an individual's memory recall in comparison to a human voice. Participants (N=36 Belmont Students) were randomly assigned a condition (positive or negative). They were asked to listen to two pre-recorded stories, one with an AI voice and one with a human voice and identify the emotional tone of the story. Participants were then asked to recall as much information about the story that they could. Data was collected via a Qualtrics Survey and SONA recruiting software. Data is analyzed using SPSS software, using a 2x2 mixed ANOVA. We anticipate that the AI storyteller condition will have a lower average score on memory recall than the human narrator by comparison. However, key results and their implications, as well as concluding information, limitations, and future directions for research, will be discussed in the presentation.

Recommended Citation

Range, Ellie R.; Ekle, Josie A.; and Johns, Beth M., "Simon Says vs Siri Says: Impact of Human versus AI narrating on Memory" (2026). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 365.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/365