A Comparative Study of Visual Responses to Thumbnails Generated by Artificial Intelligence and Naver Webtoon, Using Eye-Tracking Device

Naver Webtoon compared and analyzed the visual responses of users in their 20s by using webtoons created by image generators and thumbnails made by webtoon artists as experimental stimuli on April 1, 2023.According to Eye-Tracking's AOI analysis, participants easily distinguished between webtoons drawn by humans and those generated by artificial intelligence.The heat map confirmed that there was higher attention paid to female characters than male characters, and more focus was placed on images (especially those with strong visual impact) than text.Participants could tell whether a work was AI-generated or human-drawn based on the texture and materiality of the image, which also influenced their visual responses.There was little difference in gaze patterns between men and women, and despite the small range, non-human, heterogeneous characters (such as monsters) attracted more attention.Visual attention was also high for the main characters, particularly those taking up a large portion of the screen or positioned centrally.While discussions about the artistic value of AI-generated works are ongoing, artists in the future age of artificial intelligence must be prepared to embrace new technologies with a collaborative, rather than competitive, mindset.It's crucial that we also prioritize the establishment of laws to prevent the misuse of AI for criminal activities.These regulations will provide a sense of security and protection, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and contributes to enhancing our quality of life.Research will be needed to ensure AI is used properly and contributes to enhancing our quality of life.