The Impact of Intelligent Personal Assistant Usability and Privacy Empowerment on User’s Continuance Intention: An Integrated Model Based on Self-Determination Theory

Abstract

Intelligent personal assistants (IPAs) are increasingly embedded in everyday digital environments, yet sustained engagement remains limited. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examines how IPA usability and privacy empowerment relate to users’ basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy, and relatedness) and, in turn, to satisfaction and continuance intention. Survey data from 532 IPA users were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. IPA usability was positively associated with all three psychological needs, whereas privacy empowerment was associated with competence and relatedness but not autonomy. Autonomy was the strongest predictor of satisfaction, relatedness was especially important for continuance intention, and competence influenced continuance only indirectly, through satisfaction. The findings extend SDT to IPA continuance by identifying distinct motivational pathways linking system characteristics to continued use. From a practical perspective, sustaining engagement requires usable interfaces, trustworthy privacy design, and differentiated support for users’ psychological needs.