Published

The authenticity paradox.

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · Taylor & Francis

Saxena, P., & Prahl, A. (2026). The authenticity paradox: The threshold model of synthetic authenticity. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2026.2680242

DOI 10.1080/10447318.2026.2680242

Conceptual threshold model showing too few cues, calibrated sufficiency and closer scrutiny

Does more realism increase trust?

The published review maps 2,685 articles and synthesises 111 AI-persona studies. Human cues help an artificial persona engage people up to a threshold. Beyond it, added realism invites closer scrutiny.

When the communicator is code →