Filtering Trust: Disclosing the Role of Artificial Intelligence Decreases Trust in Technology, but Does Not Prevent...

Despite the rapid growth of generative artificial intelligence (AI), virtually no research exists examining the psychological impacts of viewing or interacting with AI-generated images of people. Additionally, it remains relatively unknown whether informing viewers when images are AI-generated is an effective way to lessen harm or improve public perception of technology. The present study examined the impact of informing image viewers about the role AI played in their creation on body dissatisfaction and trust in technology.

Two hundred ninety-six female regular social media users were randomized to either the uninformed group or the informed group. They completed two measures of body image and a measure of trust in technology before and after viewing and rating 10 AI-generated Instagram images of female content creators.

On both measures of body image, there was no significant interaction (p = 0.117; p = 0.693), but there was a significant effect of time such that both groups reported decreased body satisfaction after viewing the images (both p < 0.001). For trust in technology, there was a significant interaction, p = 0.010, such that the informed group had a steeper decline in their trust in technology after viewing the AI-generated images.

The findings of this study demonstrate that viewing AI-generated images of influencers negatively impacts body image regardless of whether the role of AI is known. These findings suggest that while labels may help keep the user informed, they are not enough, underscoring the need for clearer guidance on whether and how AI tools can be safely used online.