Have you ever noticed that big tech companies and AI businesses collect a lot of information about you?
A new study shows there’s a good reason for this: people like things more when they can see a bit of themselves in it.
This is called ‘self-relevance’. Basically, it means we enjoy things more when they remind us of our memories, identity, or feelings.
Researchers from institutes in Germany and the Netherlands decided to dig deeper into why people are so drawn to art made by AI that feels personal to them.
With modern technology, programs like DALL-E can make detailed art based on individual preferences. This means someone could get a unique piece of art that reminds them of their childhood home or favorite vacation spot.
So, what did these researchers find out? They learned that people love art more when it speaks directly to their personal experiences. To test this, they created a special art project.
Participants in the study filled out a survey about themselves, like where they grew up, vacations they took, and things they’re passionate about (like being a champion for LGBTQ rights or loving to roller-skate).
The researchers then used a special AI tool called “Style Transfer” to make custom art for each person, based on the information they shared.
When the participants looked at the art, they really loved the pieces made just for them, more than art made for others. This means that if the art had bits that reminded them of their own life, they liked it a lot more.
However, the study also found that it wasn’t just about seeing a mirror image of ourselves in art. Sometimes, art can help us understand and feel connected to other people’s experiences too.
Edward A. Vessel, the main researcher, explained that even if a piece of art shows something we’re not familiar with, we can still relate to it if there’s something personal or special about it.
Cem Uran, another researcher, added that while their study used custom-made art for people, in real life, everyone finds their own personal connection to different artworks. They might not even know why they like a certain piece – they just do.
The study showed that it’s not just about general art rules, like having a pleasing design. Personal connection is super important too.
This understanding is crucial because nowadays, AI tools are creating lots of personalized content. Think about it: have you ever seen those superhero pictures of people or stories made based on someone’s preferences? AI is behind a lot of that!
But there’s a catch. Since we love things that feel personal, there’s a chance that companies could misuse this to keep us hooked on their content. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube already suggest videos based on what we like.
With AI getting smarter, this trend is only going to grow, and we might not even notice that we’re being shown content made just for us.
In short, while it’s amazing that art and technology can touch our hearts by reflecting our own stories, it’s also essential to be aware of how personalized content can be used in the online world.
The new study was published in Psychological Science
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Source: Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience.
