The AI Storyteller Effect: How Integrated Chatbots Shape Backers’ Funding Decisions in Cultural Event Crowdfunding

Authors

• Huanyu Feng, School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
• Lingfei Deng, School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Tourism Smart Assessment Technology, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Zhuhai, China
• Xiaochen Liu, School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
• Xianjiao Wu, School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
• Xinqiong He, School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

Abstract

Experience-based cultural events contribute significantly to local economic development and cultural tourism. Due to limited access to traditional financing, crowdfunding has become an important alternative for cultural events. However, these campaigns face a paradox: a large amount of cultural knowledge and distinctive elements must be presented to a highly diverse audience with heterogeneous preferences. This study investigates how AI chatbots complement information provided by fundraisers, address backers’ personalized information asymmetry, and influence funding decisions in such campaigns. An online experiment simulating a museum-affiliated cultural market shows that artifact-specific chatbots increase participation intention, social sharing, and selection of higher-priced rewards. Narrative chatbots produce even stronger effects than the expository ones. The findings highlight the potential of generative AI tools to reduce personalized information asymmetry and enhance backer engagement in cultural event crowdfunding.

Recommended Citation

Feng, Huanyu; Deng, Lingfei; Liu, Xiaochen; Wu, Xianjiao; and He, Xinqiong, "The AI Storyteller Effect: How Integrated Chatbots Shape Backers’ Funding Decisions in Cultural Event Crowdfunding" (2026). ICEB 2026 Proceedings (Beijing, China). 89.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/iceb2026/89