New Publication: Effects of Generative Artificial Intelligence-Generated Images on Body Image Evaluated

The study, titled "The Effects of Exposure to Imagery Created with Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) on Young Women's Body Image: Do Image Type and Disclosure Matter?", was conducted experimentally with 291 women aged 18–31 years living in the United States. Participants were exposed to fit-ideal images, body functionality- and diversity-focused images, and neutral images. The study also investigated whether informing participants that the images had been generated by artificial intelligence influenced body image outcomes.

The findings revealed that participants exposed to AI-generated images emphasizing body functionality and diversity demonstrated more positive outcomes in terms of body functionality appreciation, body appreciation, and appearance satisfaction. In contrast, exposure to fit-ideal images was associated with negative effects on certain dimensions of body image. Furthermore, informing participants that the images were AI-generated was found to enhance positive perceptions of body functionality.

By demonstrating how different types of AI-generated visual content influence body image, the study makes an important contribution to the scientific literature in this emerging field.

Click here to access the full article:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2026.100339