Understanding User Mental Models in AI-Driven Code Completion Tools: Insights from an Elicitation Study

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2502.02194v1
• Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:20:49 GMT
• Title: Understanding User Mental Models in AI-Driven Code Completion Tools: Insights from an Elicitation Study
• Authors: Giuseppe Desolda, Andrea Esposito, Francesco Greco, Cesare Tucci, Paolo Buono, Antonio Piccinno,
• Abstract summary: We conduct an elicitation study with 56 developers using focus groups to elicit their mental models when interacting with AI-powered code completion tools. The study findings provide actionable insights for designing human-centered CCTs that align with user expectations, enhance satisfaction and productivity, and foster trust in AI-powered development tools. We also develop ATHENA, a proof-of-concept CCT that dynamically adapts to developers' coding preferences and environments, ensuring seamless integration into diverse environments.
• Score: 5.534104886050636
• License:
• Abstract: Integrated Development Environments increasingly implement AI-powered code completion tools (CCTs), which promise to enhance developer efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. However, interaction challenges with CCTs persist, mainly due to mismatches between developers' mental models and the unpredictable behavior of AI-generated suggestions. This is an aspect underexplored in the literature. To address this gap, we conducted an elicitation study with 56 developers using focus groups, to elicit their mental models when interacting with CCTs. The study findings provide actionable insights for designing human-centered CCTs that align with user expectations, enhance satisfaction and productivity, and foster trust in AI-powered development tools. To demonstrate the feasibility of these guidelines, we also developed ATHENA, a proof-of-concept CCT that dynamically adapts to developers' coding preferences and environments, ensuring seamless integration into diverse

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