Human-created animated art vs AI-created art: does it change how you feel right away?
Official title: Immediate Psychological Effects of a Brief Human-Created Animated Art Film: A Three-Arm Online Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Stanford University · NCT07740148 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This online trial tests whether watching a human-made animated art film or an AI-made one, or doing nothing, quickly changes mood or sense of connection in U.S. adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 4500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Stanford University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Palo Alto, California and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 31, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 21, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07740148 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are U.S.-based Prolific participants who are fluent in English, can consent online, and can complete the study on a computer or mobile device.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals who are outside the United States, do not consent online, cannot read English, or have prior participation in this study may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized online trial compares the immediate psychological effects after viewing brief human-created versus AI-generated animated art films, with a third no-viewing control. Participants are U.S.-based adults recruited via Prolific and assigned through Stanford Qualtrics to one of three arms. Outcomes are measured immediately after exposure to assess short-term changes in psychological well-being. The study uses online delivery and standard consent procedures, with screening to ensure eligibility and data collection across platforms. Lead sponsorship is with Stanford University, leveraging Prolific for recruitment and online platforms for administration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify whether human-created art elicits different immediate psychological responses than AI-generated art.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in digital media and psychology suggests rapid emotional responses can differ between human- and computer-generated content, though this exact comparison is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Resides in the United States * Able to read and understand English * Current Prolific participant * Able to provide electronic informed consent * Able to complete the study online using a computer or mobile device with internet access Exclusion Criteria: * Residence outside the United States * Unable to read and understand English sufficiently to complete the study * Does not provide electronic informed consent * Prior participation in this study
Where it's running
-
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States Recruiting -
Prolific Academic Online Academic Research Platform
Palo Alto, California, United States Enrolling by invitation
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Maya Adam, MD, PhD — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Maya Adam, MD, PhD
- Email: madam@stanford.edu
- Phone: 6508393600
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.