Abstract

Digital Humans (DHs), lifelike virtual agents capable of speech, gesture, and emotional expression, are increasingly embedded in collaborative work environments. Yet, they are often conceptualized narrowly as task-based assistants, overlooking the broader behavioural contributions essential for effective teamwork. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 41 peer-reviewed articles to examine how DHs are currently designed and enacted as team members in Human–AI Collaboration. Drawing on Belbin’s Team Roles framework, we categorize their behavioural roles across domains such as healthcare, education, and customer service. Our findings reveal that DHs are most frequently deployed as tutors, emotional supporters, or persuasive communicators, while roles requiring creativity, coordination, or critical evaluation are still underrepresented. By shifting focus from surface-level functions to role diversity, this synthesis highlights both the current limitations and the future potential of DHs to integrate as adaptive collaborators in dynamic team environments.

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