The Effect of AI vs Human Monitoring on Intrinsic Motivation

Last registered on February 23, 2026
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
The Effect of AI vs Human Monitoring on Intrinsic Motivation
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0016411
Initial registration date
July 18, 2025

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
July 28, 2025, 8:24 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
February 23, 2026, 1:07 PM EST

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Martin Abel
Affiliation
Middlebury College
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2025-07-18
End date
2026-07-17
Keywords
Behavior, Labor
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
We are testing the effect of having your work evaluated by AI vs humans on levels of intrinsic motivation and prosocial behavior and whether the effect depends on monetary incentives.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Abel, Martin. 2026. "The Effect of AI vs Human Monitoring on Intrinsic Motivation ." AEA RCT Registry. February 23. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.16411-1.2
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention Start Date
2025-07-18
Intervention End Date
2025-09-17

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Measures of intrinsic motivation and process perception, as explained in more detail in our pre-analysis plan.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
We randomly assign who will evaluate the work and monetary incentives, as explained in more detail in our pre-analysis plan.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Randomization is done in Qualtrics
Randomization Unit
Individual
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
No clusters
Sample size: planned number of observations
1500 individuals (upper bound depending on share interested in volunteering)
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
300 per arm (upper bound depending on share interested in volunteering)
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Bowdoin College IRB
IRB Approval Date
2025-06-20
IRB Approval Number
IRB-2025-23
Analysis Plan

Analysis Plan Documents

AI Monitoring_PAP_2025.07.17.pdf

MD5: 8f3ba88c12b30c121386fd74cfeb3e60

SHA1: c5bd6a8438074448cf8af6f72c5087f64c0d04b1

Uploaded At: July 18, 2025

AI Monitoring_PAP_2025.07.31.pdf

MD5: 32d58186bb193c58e2c64f2aa2567c7e

SHA1: 1e9144cb4593c738ec642c8414c3c05f0ec0b93d

Uploaded At: August 01, 2025