Neural correlates of evaluative bias against AI-labeled versus human-labeled artworks.

Journal: Social cognitive and affective neuroscience
Published Date: Jul 11, 2025

Abstract

The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled machines to produce creative outputs, such as artworks, that rival human creations. However, despite these technological achievements, public acceptance and valuation of AI-generated creative products remain uncertain. This study investigates the bias against AI-generated artworks by examining both behavioral and neural responses using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Across two pre-registered studies (total N = 125), participants evaluated paintings labeled as either human-created or AI-generated, with the artworks being objectively identical. Behavioral results revealed a consistent bias against AI-labeled paintings, with participants rating them lower in different evaluative dimensions. Neural data from EEG indicated relatively higher P300 amplitudes and alpha power during the evaluation of human-labeled paintings, suggesting potentially greater attentional allocation and cognitive engagement. The fNIRS results further demonstrated increased activity in the right angular gyrus and stronger functional connectivity between the inferior frontal gyrus and angular gyrus for human-labeled artworks, which may indicate deeper semantic and emotional processing. These findings highlight that biases against AI-generated artworks are not only evident in explicit evaluations but also manifest in underlying neural processes, reflecting a persistent preference for human creativity. The study underscores the importance of addressing public biases to foster acceptance and trust in AI technologies.

Authors

  • Wenyu Zhang
    School of Nursing, Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
  • Cong Xie
    Department of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
  • Liuqing Jiang
    Key Laboratory of Philosophy and Social Science of Anhui Province on Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Intelligence Intervention, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China, 230601.
  • Li Yang
    Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
  • Zhe Hu
    Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Ning Hao
    College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.

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