AI-Generated Images Provoke Negative Reactions, Psychologist Explains

Psychologist Jan-Henry Stenberg offers insight into the unsettling nature of artificial intelligence-generated images, explaining why they often provoke a visceral negative reaction. According to Stenberg, these AI creations trigger an 'internal alarm' within viewers, signaling a sense of danger or unease. This psychological response suggests a deep-seated discomfort with artificially produced visuals that mimic reality too closely.

The unease stems from the uncanny valley effect, where near-perfect replicas can feel subtly wrong, activating primitive threat detection systems. Stenberg's analysis suggests that our brains are finely tuned to detect authenticity, and deviations, however slight, can be perceived as unnatural or even deceptive.

A recent instance highlighting this phenomenon involved an advertisement for S-Market, a Finnish retailer. The use of an AI-generated image in their campaign sparked considerable criticism, underscoring the public's sensitivity to synthetic media. This incident serves as a concrete example of the broader societal reaction Stenberg describes, where the proliferation of AI imagery is met with apprehension and scrutiny.