Visualizing Aging: AI Art's Role in Shaping Cultural Narratives

Background and Objectives: Aging is shaped by biological and cultural narratives that influence perceptions of older adults’ well-being. Dominant narratives often reinforce ageist stereotypes, equating older adults with frailty and dependency. This study explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) art could shape cultural narratives of aging through a case study of Auntieverse, an AI art project featuring Singaporean auntie figures. Addressing a research gap in understanding AI-generated imagery’s sociocultural impact, this study moves beyond existing discourses that focus on therapeutic benefits or technical aspects of AI to explore shaping perceptions of aging.

Research Design and Methods: Using an innovative multi-stakeholder three-study design, this study integrates visual analysis, artist interviews, and audience interviews. This approach critically analyzes the meaning-making process of aging by exploring AI-generated artifacts, artistic intention, and audience reception.

Results: Findings reveal that while Auntieverse seeks to challenge ageist stereotypes by depicting female older adults as autonomous and vibrant, it also highlights the inherent biases embedded in AI aesthetics and the interpretive gap between artistic intent and audience perception.

Discussion and Implications: This study positions AI art as a medium for generating new cultural representations of aging and advocates for a more critical and deliberate engagement with AI’s influence on cultural storytelling. Three central themes emerged for discussion: “Re-seeing Age Identity,” “Re-thinking the Aging Body,” and “Re-pAInting’ Successful Aging.” While acknowledging the limitations of AI-generated imagery, it emphasizes the potential of AI art to reshape sociocultural understandings of aging.