# Reimagining Personal Data: Unlocking the Potential of AI-Generated Images in Personal Data Meaning-Making

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.18853 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.18853/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 15 of its 134 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 26 Feb 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 15 of 15)

- [A Prompt Pattern Catalog to Enhance Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.11382/) (2023)
- [Design Guidelines for Prompt Engineering Text-to-Image Generative Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.06977/) (2021)
- [Design Principles for Generative AI Applications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.14484/) (2024)
- [MindfulDiary: Harnessing Large Language Model to Support Psychiatric Patients' Journaling](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.05231/) (2023)
- [3DALL-E: Integrating Text-to-Image AI in 3D Design Workflows](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.11603/) (2022)
- [Machine Learning Uncertainty as a Design Material: A Post-Phenomenological Inquiry](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.04035/) (2021)
- [Sketch2Prototype: Rapid Conceptual Design Exploration and Prototyping with Generative AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.12985/) (2024)
- [AI Should Challenge, Not Obey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.02263/) (2024)
- [Machine Learning Processes as Sources of Ambiguity: Insights from AI Art](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.09374/) (2024)
- [Mirror Ritual: An Affective Interface for Emotional Self-Reflection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.09685/) (2020)
- [Metamorpheus: Interactive, Affective, and Creative Dream Narration Through Metaphorical Visual Storytelling](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.00632/) (2024)
- [Activity River: Visualizing Planned and Logged Personal Activities for Reflection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.01353/) (2020)
- [Message Ritual: A Posthuman Account of Living with Lamp](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.10947/) (2023)
- [Studying Self-Care with Generative AI Tools: Lessons for Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.05458/) (2024)
- [A Field Study of On-Calendar Visualizations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.01123/) (2017)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Constella: Supporting Storywriters' Interconnected Character Creation through LLM-based Multi-Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.05820/) (2025)
- [Vidmento: Creating Video Stories Through Context-Aware Expansion With Generative Video](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.22013/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Image-generative AI provides new opportunities to transform personal data into alternative visual forms. In this paper, we illustrate the potential of AI-generated images in facilitating meaningful engagement with personal data. In a formative autobiographical design study, we explored the design and use of AI-generated images derived from personal data. Informed by this study, we designed a web-based application as a probe that represents personal data through generative images utilizing Open AI's GPT-4 model and DALL-E 3. We then conducted a 21-day diary study and interviews using the probe with 16 participants to investigate users' in-depth experiences with images generated by AI in everyday lives. Our findings reveal new qualities of experiences in users' engagement with data, highlighting how participants constructed personal meaning from their data through imagination and speculation on AI-generated images. We conclude by discussing the potential and concerns of leveraging image-generative AI for personal data meaning-making.