---
type: source
id: mamsheli-2026-eeg-ai-faces
title: 'Processing of Real and AI-Generated Human Faces: An Exploratory EEG Study'
authors:
- Saryz Taha Mamsheli
- Amanda Tunes Paulsen
- Enrico Cipriani
- Simone Grassini
year: 2026
venue: Proceedings of the European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics (ECCE 2026)
volume: null
pages: 375-379
doi: 10.1145/3822301.3822351
pmid: null
pmcid: null
arxiv_id: null
openalex_id: W7212435617
oa_url: https://doi.org/10.1145/3822301.3822351
peer_review: peer-reviewed-conference
evidence_tier: B
design: Exploratory EEG (ERP) study with post-recording questionnaire; poster analyses restricted to real vs AI-generated human faces
modality:
- image-face
stimuli: Images of humans, AI-generated humans, robots and dolls with happy, fearful and neutral expressions (generator not stated in abstract)
n_participants: 28
n_note: ''
topics:
- uncanny-valley
- neural
- implicit-detection
summary: Real and AI-generated faces evoked different early brain responses (N170, N400, EPN) but not a different late LPP, and were rated differently for expressiveness and 'sense of self', while perceived intelligence and appeal did not differ.
results:
- metric: ERP differences, real vs AI-generated faces
  value: significant for N170, N400 and EPN; not for LPP
  note: early stages differentiate the faces
  source_location: abstract
- metric: 'Questionnaire: expressiveness; sense of self and inner consciousness'
  value: significantly different between real and AI faces
  note: ''
  source_location: abstract
- metric: 'Questionnaire: perceived intelligence and appeal'
  value: n.s.
  note: ''
  source_location: abstract
moderators: []
limitations:
- Exploratory poster analyses
- Small N
- Generator not stated in abstract
- Values from abstract only
mechanism_supported:
- implicit-sensitivity
verification:
  status: verified-abstract
  confidence: medium
  checked: 2026-10-19
  via: OpenAlex abstract record W7212435617 for doi:10.1145/3822301.3822351
url: null
cited_in:
- MR-0002
updated: '2026-10-19'
---

# Processing of Real and AI-Generated Human Faces: An Exploratory EEG Study

> **Source record** `mamsheli-2026-eeg-ai-faces` · 2026 · Proceedings of the European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics (ECCE 2026)  
> **Evidence tier:** B (peer-reviewed-conference) · **Verification:** verified-abstract (compiler confidence: medium)  
> **Bottom line:** Real and AI-generated faces evoked different early brain responses (N170, N400, EPN) but not a different late LPP, and were rated differently for expressiveness and 'sense of self', while perceived intelligence and appeal did not differ.

## Citation {#citation}

Saryz Taha Mamsheli, Amanda Tunes Paulsen, Enrico Cipriani, Simone Grassini (2026). Processing of Real and AI-Generated Human Faces: An Exploratory EEG Study. *Proceedings of the European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics (ECCE 2026)*, 375-379. https://doi.org/10.1145/3822301.3822351

Verification entry (identifiers, resolvers, claims with source locations): [/data/citations.json#mamsheli-2026-eeg-ai-faces](/data/citations.json#mamsheli-2026-eeg-ai-faces)

## Study design {#design}

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Design | Exploratory EEG (ERP) study with post-recording questionnaire; poster analyses restricted to real vs AI-generated human faces |
| Modality | image-face |
| Stimuli | Images of humans, AI-generated humans, robots and dolls with happy, fearful and neutral expressions (generator not stated in abstract) |
| Participants (N) | 28 |
| Topics | uncanny-valley, neural, implicit-detection |

## Results {#results}

| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ERP differences, real vs AI-generated faces | significant for N170, N400 and EPN; not for LPP | early stages differentiate the faces |
| Questionnaire: expressiveness; sense of self and inner consciousness | significantly different between real and AI faces |  |
| Questionnaire: perceived intelligence and appeal | n.s. |  |

## Mechanism relevance {#mechanism}

`implicit-sensitivity`

## Limitations {#limitations}

- Exploratory poster analyses
- Small N
- Generator not stated in abstract
- Values from abstract only

## Cited in {#cited-in}

- [MR-0002](/metareports/uncanny-valley-and-synthetic-faces.md): The Uncanny Valley and Synthetic Media: Does It Exist, What Causes It, and Have Deepfakes Crossed It?

## Verification {#verification}

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | `verified-abstract` |
| Compiler confidence | medium |
| Checked on | 2026-10-19 |
| Via | OpenAlex abstract record W7212435617 for doi:10.1145/3822301.3822351 |

Values on this page have not all been checked against the full text. Confirm them against the primary source before high-stakes use.