Development and validation of an AI-generated real-world stimulus set for visual working memory research.

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Campbell, Gerard and Nicholls, Graeme and Hart, Rebecca and Allen, Richard J. and von Bastian, Claudia and Burke, Melanie R. and Parra Rodriguez, Mario and Nicholls, Louise A. B. (2024) Development and validation of an AI-generated real-world stimulus set for visual working memory research. In: The 4th International Conference on Working Memory, 2024-06-25 - 2024-06-27, United Kingdom.

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Abstract

The availability of real-world object stimuli that meet researchers’ specific requirements is an ongoing challenge in visual cognition research. Recent developments in AI image generation may facilitate the creation of custom-made, highly realistic visual stimuli. We recently used the artificial intelligence (AI) program Adobe Firefly to generate 191 images of unique, real-world objects for a series of visual working memory experiments. The program generates and modifies images based on user text prompts. The images were created to be orientated face-on, of similar size and colour, and without any readable text. An online validation study was designed to assess the characteristics of the stimuli for use in future research. Participants are asked to provide a name or description for the objects via free-text response. They also rate them in terms of realism and familiarity. Participants’ free-text responses will establish the extent to which the stimuli set comprises nameable, recognisable objects, as intended. In addition, realism scores can indicate the utility of AI in generating realistic, high-quality stimuli sets. Our protocol for developing the stimuli will be published, providing a reference for researchers to custom-create their own stimuli sets using AI. We also aim to make the stimuli set publicly available, facilitating its use in future cognitive research.

ORCID iDs

Campbell, Gerard ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0186-1464, Nicholls, Graeme, Hart, Rebecca ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0399-8266, Allen, Richard J., von Bastian, Claudia, Burke, Melanie R., Parra Rodriguez, Mario ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2412-648X and Nicholls, Louise A. B. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3520-6175;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)