# Synthetic Human Memories: AI-Edited Images and Videos Can Implant False Memories and Distort Recollection

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.08895 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.08895/

## Key facts

- Cited by 7 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 16 of its 133 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 13 Sep 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 16 of 16)

- [Language Models are Few-Shot Learners](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.14165/) (2020)
- [A Survey on Evaluation of Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.03109/) (2023)
- [Diffusion Models: A Comprehensive Survey of Methods and Applications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.00796/) (2022)
- [Generative Language Models and Automated Influence Operations: Emerging Threats and Potential Mitigations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.04246/) (2023)
- [Co-Writing with Opinionated Language Models Affects Users' Views](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.00560/) (2023)
- ["How do I fool you?": Manipulating User Trust via Misleading Black Box Explanations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1911.06473/) (2019)
- [Art and the science of generative AI: A deeper dive](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.04141/) (2023)
- [Deepfake Detection by Human Crowds, Machines, and Machine-informed Crowds](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.06496/) (2021)
- [HealMe: Harnessing Cognitive Reframing in Large Language Models for Psychotherapy](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.05574/) (2024)
- [Is Stack Overflow Obsolete? An Empirical Study of the Characteristics of ChatGPT Answers to Stack Overflow Questions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.02312/) (2023)
- [Memoro: Using Large Language Models to Realize a Concise Interface for Real-Time Memory Augmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.02135/) (2024)
- [Deceptive AI Systems That Give Explanations Are Just as Convincing as Honest AI Systems in Human-Machine Decision Making](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.08960/) (2022)
- [Memory Manipulations in Extended Reality](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.02394/) (2023)
- [Conversational AI Powered by Large Language Models Amplifies False Memories in Witness Interviews](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.04681/) (2024)
- [Finding Strategies Against Misinformation in Social Media: A Qualitative Study](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.00188/) (2022)
- [A Comparative Evaluation of Interventions Against Misinformation: Augmenting the WHO Checklist](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.06696/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 7 of 7)

- [AI-exhibited Personality Traits Can Shape Human Self-concept through Conversations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.12727/) (2026)
- [The AI Memory Gap: Users Misremember What They Created With AI or Without](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.11851/) (2025)
- [Vidmento: Creating Video Stories Through Context-Aware Expansion With Generative Video](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.22013/) (2026)
- [Unforgettable Lessons from Forgettable Images: Intra-Class Memorability Matters in Computer Vision](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.20761/) (2024)
- [Dataset Biases and Shortcut Learning in Motion-Based AI-Generated Video Detection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.00948/) (2026)
- ["I'm happy even though it's not real": GenAI Photo Editing as a Remembering Experience](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.03104/) (2026)
- [InnerPond: Fostering Inter-Self Dialogue with a Multi-Agent Approach for Introspection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.27563/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

AI is increasingly used to enhance images and videos, both intentionally and unintentionally. As AI editing tools become more integrated into smartphones, users can modify or animate photos into realistic videos. This study examines the impact of AI-altered visuals on false memories--recollections of events that didn't occur or deviate from reality. In a pre-registered study, 200 participants were divided into four conditions of 50 each. Participants viewed original images, completed a filler task, then saw stimuli corresponding to their assigned condition: unedited images, AI-edited images, AI-generated videos, or AI-generated videos of AI-edited images. AI-edited visuals significantly increased false recollections, with AI-generated videos of AI-edited images having the strongest effect (2.05x compared to control). Confidence in false memories was also highest for this condition (1.19x compared to control). We discuss potential applications in HCI, such as therapeutic memory reframing, and challenges in ethical, legal, political, and societal domains.