Högskolan i Skövde

This study investigates the ability of individuals to distinguish between AI-generated and humancreated artworks, focusing on the influence of different art styles and the application of prompt engineering techniques. With advancements in AI enabling the creation of complex images, concerns about the authenticity and originality of art are increasing. The research addresses three main questions: the effectiveness of prompt engineering in mitigating inaccuracies in AI art generation, the public’s capacity to discern between AI-generated and human-created art, and the impact of various art styles on this discernment ability. Using DALL-E 3, a variety of dragon images were generated and evaluated for common inaccuracies. An online survey was conducted to collect data on participants’ perceptions and ability to identify AI-generated images across different art styles. The results indicate that prompt engineering can reduce inaccuracies. Respondents generally struggled to reliably distinguish between AI-generated and human-created art, with the art style influencing their discernment ability. The study underscores the complexities and potential biases in AI-generated content, highlighting the need for further research to enhance the reliability and authenticity of AI in the visual arts. 

The study was motivated by recent advancements in AI technologies that enable the creation of complex images and the controversies surrounding the use of AI in art, particularly in instances where AI-generated images are presented as human-made. To explore these issues, the research is structured around two main questions: whether people can accurately identify AI-generated images, and how different AI-influenced art styles affect their perceptions. 

The methodology includes prompt engineering techniques to generate images with specific characteristics, followed by a survey to collect data on how these images are perceived by a diverse audience. The survey assesses participants’ ability to distinguish between AI-generated and human-made images and records their opinions on the authenticity and appeal of different art styles influenced by AI.