No Silver Lining: Consumer Indifference Between Human and AI Production
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Series
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Speaker(s)Tom Lane (The University of Nottingham, United Kingdom))
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FieldBehavioral Economics
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LocationUniversity of Amsterdam, Roeterseiland Campus, E5.07
Amsterdam -
Date and time
November 27, 2025
12:00 - 13:00
Abstract
Artificial intelligence can now produce outputs that were once the preserve of human labour. Yet well-documented algorithm aversion raises the possibility of consumer bias in favour of human-produced work. This paper uses incentivised experimental auctions and a state-of-the-art generative AI algorithm to compare consumer valuations for human-versus AI-created artworks. We find no intrinsic favouritism towards human-created work in consumer valuations, suggesting that prospects for workers in AI-substitutable roles are bleak. However, demand for AI-created products varies with individuals' attitudes toward AI, indicating that economies with more prevalent anti-AI sentiment may better sustain human labour. Joint paper with Harry Pickard and Matthew J. Walker.