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Main Authors: Zhou, Yufan, Huang, Yirui, Wang, Zhao, Jin, Yucheng
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.24405
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author Zhou, Yufan
Huang, Yirui
Wang, Zhao
Jin, Yucheng
author_facet Zhou, Yufan
Huang, Yirui
Wang, Zhao
Jin, Yucheng
contents Diversity is an important evaluation criterion for recommender systems beyond accuracy, yet users differ in their willingness to engage with novel and diverse content. In this work, we investigate how a Large Language Model (LLM)-based multi-agent system supports users' exploration of diverse recommendations, and how individual characteristics shape user experiences. We conducted a between-subjects user study (N = 100) comparing a single-agent system (baseline) with a multi-agent system for movie recommendations. We measured Perceived Accuracy, diversity, novelty, and overall rating, and examined the influence of personal characteristics, including personality traits, demographics, GenAI recommendation experience, and GenAI skepticism. Results show that the multi-agent system significantly increases Perceived Novelty and Shannon Diversity. Conscientiousness is positively associated with Perceived Accuracy and diversity, whereas extraversion is negatively associated with Perceived Diversity. Prior experience with GenAI-based recommendations is positively associated with Shannon Diversity, while skepticism toward GenAI is negatively associated with it. We also observe significant interaction effects between system design and user characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of personality-aware conversational recommender systems and caution against one-size-fits-all multi-agent designs.
format Preprint
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publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle How Personal Characteristics Shape User Exploration of Diverse Movie Recommendations with a LLM-Based Multi-Agent System
Zhou, Yufan
Huang, Yirui
Wang, Zhao
Jin, Yucheng
Human-Computer Interaction
Diversity is an important evaluation criterion for recommender systems beyond accuracy, yet users differ in their willingness to engage with novel and diverse content. In this work, we investigate how a Large Language Model (LLM)-based multi-agent system supports users' exploration of diverse recommendations, and how individual characteristics shape user experiences. We conducted a between-subjects user study (N = 100) comparing a single-agent system (baseline) with a multi-agent system for movie recommendations. We measured Perceived Accuracy, diversity, novelty, and overall rating, and examined the influence of personal characteristics, including personality traits, demographics, GenAI recommendation experience, and GenAI skepticism. Results show that the multi-agent system significantly increases Perceived Novelty and Shannon Diversity. Conscientiousness is positively associated with Perceived Accuracy and diversity, whereas extraversion is negatively associated with Perceived Diversity. Prior experience with GenAI-based recommendations is positively associated with Shannon Diversity, while skepticism toward GenAI is negatively associated with it. We also observe significant interaction effects between system design and user characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of personality-aware conversational recommender systems and caution against one-size-fits-all multi-agent designs.
title How Personal Characteristics Shape User Exploration of Diverse Movie Recommendations with a LLM-Based Multi-Agent System
topic Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.24405