AI-Generated or AI-Modified? User Reactions to Labeling AI Use in Social Media Posts

Yongnam Jung, Peixin Hua, Jiaqi Bao, S. Shyam Sundar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Although social media platforms are beginning to implement policies for labeling AI usage in posts, we do not know how this labeling affects user perceptions and which types of labeling source and language would be most effective. What does AI-generated content mean to users? What are users’ perceptions of the content, content creator, and platform that has AI-labeled content? Do the effects differ depending on whether the label is attributed to the user or the platform? A focus group study (N=14) revealed that users appreciate how AI helps to create better content. However, their perceptions of AI-labeled content are shaped by their mental models of how social media algorithms work. Some participants viewed AI-labeled content as more trendy, while others saw it as direct advertisements. Some believed the content to be automatically fake, but their reactions varied depending on the type of content or account. Regarding labeling source, users preferred self-labeling over platform labeling. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for the design of social media interfaces for disclosing AI usage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCHI EA 2025 - Extended Abstracts of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9798400713958
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 26 2025
Event2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2025 - Yokohama, Japan
Duration: Apr 26 2025May 1 2025

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2025
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityYokohama
Period4/26/255/1/25

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Software

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