AI re-creation data of traditional painting styles

Study of 216 participants found AI-replicated classic art styles (e.g., A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains) scored lower on aesthetic appeal than standard traditional styles, despite technical perfection. Key results: (1) Classic styles showed an “ aesthetic paradox ” ; (2) Unfamiliar viewers disliked them more; (3) AI attitudes outweighed cultural knowledge in predicting preferences. Suggests visual replication alone fails without cultural context.