Exploring User Experiences with Generative AI-Reconstructed Daily Photos

The potential of generative AI in daily photo documentation lies in its ability to support the creation of more meaningful records by reconstructing daily photos in ways that vividly capture users' experiences. Building on this potential, we aimed to explore the new experiences that could emerge through the reconstruction of daily photos. We asked 12 participants to take photos of their daily lives and write text narratives over a 10- to 20-day period. Using these photos and narratives, we generated various reconstructed images, which were then used as materials for participant interviews. Our findings revealed that reconstructed images fostered reflective documentation experiences by (1) expanding narratives about experiences, (2) helping participants discover moments they genuinely wanted to record, (3) organizing their thoughts about their experiences, and (4) enhancing their awareness of personal identity. Additionally, we identified considerations for transforming daily photos. Based on these findings, we conclude by discussing the role of generative AI in enhancing reflective photographic practices.