AI-Generated Music Triggers Stronger Emotional Responses Than Human Compositions, Study Finds

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the creative industries, and a new study is providing early evidence of how this shift is being experienced by audiences. Published in PLOS One, the research explores how AI-generated music compares to human-composed music in audiovisual content, focusing on measurable emotional and physiological responses.
The Study Setup
The research was conducted by the Neuro-Com Research Group at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, in collaboration with the RTVE Institute and the University of Ljubljana. The experiment involved 88 participants who watched the same set of video clips under three different music conditions. The soundtracks included music composed by humans, AI-generated music created with a simple prompt, and AI-generated music created with a more complex and detailed prompt.
During each viewing, the participants’ physical responses were monitored, including pupil dilation, blinking rate, and galvanic skin response. In addition, participants self-reported their emotional reactions to each version of the audiovisual content.
Photo Crediy: PLOS ONE
Key Findings
The results showed that both versions of the AI-generated music triggered greater pupil dilation than the human-composed version. This response is generally associated with higher levels of emotional arousal. The music produced using more complex prompts also led to increased blinking and changes in skin conductance, indicators of higher cognitive effort.
On a subjective level, participants described the AI-generated music as more exciting overall. Human-composed music, while less stimulating in terms of physiological response, was seen as more familiar and emotionally grounded. The findings suggest that the complexity of the AI prompt not only influences the musical output but also the way it is experienced and processed by the brain.
Implications for Audiovisual Production
The study offers insights that could affect how music is created and used in film, television, advertising, and other forms of visual storytelling. The ability of AI to generate emotionally impactful music with fine-tuned prompts may allow creators to better match sound to the emotional arc of a scene. This could also improve production efficiency by reducing the time spent on music sourcing or composition.
As AI-generated tools become more sophisticated, their role in the creative workflow is likely to grow. However, the study also highlights that while AI music may heighten emotional engagement, it can introduce a greater cognitive load for the audience. Understanding this tradeoff will be important for producers and sound designers working to optimize viewer experience.
Understanding the Cognitive Impact
The research also raises important questions about how the brain interprets synthetic music compared to human-composed tracks. The higher cognitive effort involved in processing AI-generated music suggests that while emotionally engaging, this content may be experienced differently on a neurological level. Future studies could explore whether these differences impact long-term audience satisfaction or narrative connection.
This study opens the door to further exploration of how AI-driven music can be shaped, evaluated, and ethically integrated into modern media landscapes.
Let’s Collaborate!
Need help building the tone for your production? Hit us up – the Rareform Audio team would love to help you create the perfect soundtrack that speaks to your audience and enhances the power of your visual storytelling to new heights!
A weekly glimpse into the world of music & media with insider news, sync licensing opportunities, creative insight, and discussions.
Rareform Highlights
Unleash blockbuster-grade sound. Get your music movie-ready.
Black Sheep Music & Rareform Audio strike back in the Star Wars universe.
Rareform Audio & Black Sheep Music launch a cinematic music catalog engineered for storytelling at scale.
Black Sheep Music & Rareform Audio join forces with Bungie
Join our Spotify Playlist and vibe with us! Featuring an array of tunes our team has been listening to.

Rareform Audio, an innovative leader in music and audio post-production, specializes in custom music creation, sound design, sonic branding and a vast catalog of diverse genres. Our talented roster of artists, composers and sound designers elevate projects for film, TV, ads, trailers and video games by merging artistry with cutting-edge soundscapes.