"I'm happy even though it's not real": GenAI Photo Editing as a Remembering Experience

TL;DR

This study investigates how people use GenAI for personal photo editing and how it influences their memories, highlighting the importance of felt memory and identity considerations in the process.

Contribution

It provides qualitative insights into user experiences with GenAI photo editing and discusses implications for designing responsible AI tools for memory preservation.

Findings

Participants prioritize felt memory over factual accuracy.

Editing is acceptable for environments but not for personal identity.

Editing experiences influence how memories are reconstructed.

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly integrated into photo applications on personal devices, making editing photographs easier than ever while potentially influencing the memories they represent. This study explores how and why people use GenAI to edit personal photos and how this shapes their remembering experience. We conducted a two-phase qualitative study with 12 participants: a photo editing session using a GenAI tool guided by the Remembering Experience (RX) dimensions, followed by semi-structured interviews where participants reflected on the editing process and results. Findings show that participants prioritised felt memory over factual accuracy. For different photo elements, environments were modified easily, however, editing was deemed unacceptable if it touched upon a person's identity. Editing processes brought positive and negative impacts, and itself also became a remembering experience. We further discuss potential benefits and risks of GenAI editing for remembering purposes and propose design implications for responsible GenAI.