University of Glasgow researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the influence of AI-powered smile-changing filters on romantic attraction. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that these real-time digital alterations can significantly impact who people find attractive during video-based speed dating sessions
Study Methodology
The research team, led by Dr. Pablo Arias-Sarah from the University of Glasgow’s School of Psychology and Neuroscience, conducted an experiment using AI to transform participants’ faces in real-time during video speed-dating conversations. The AI was used to align or misalign the smiles of participants, either increasing or decreasing their smiles without their knowledge.
Key Findings
The study uncovered several intriguing results:
- Enhanced Attraction: Aligning the smiles of participants led to increased romantic attraction between them compared to scenarios where smiles were not aligned.
- Feedback Loops: Even when participants couldn’t see their own transformed faces, the changes still affected their attraction ratings through feedback loops.
- Behavioural Impact: The AI-based smile alterations influenced participants’ vocal behaviour and their tendency to mirror each other’s facial expressions.
- Perceived Attraction: Participants believed their dating partners were more attracted to them when the researchers increased the smiles they saw in their partners.
Dr. Arias-Sarah emphasised the ethical questions raised by this research, particularly as AI-based face and voice filters become more sophisticated and prevalent on social media platforms. He stated: “It remains largely unknown how these technologies might influence the social behaviour of users. As was recently done for other new technologies, for example deep fakes, a clear ethical guideline about the use and regulation of these technologies might be required.”
Future Considerations
The study highlights the potential impact of face transformation filters on interpersonal communication and the need for further research into how these technologies might shape social interactions. As AI-powered filters become more realistic and widely available, understanding their effects on human behaviour and relationships will be crucial for developing appropriate guidelines and regulations.
