AI Assets Flood Marketplaces, But Buyers Shun Them

Consumers are demonstrating a clear preference for human-created digital assets over AI-generated alternatives on online marketplaces, despite the rapid influx of AI content. CGTrader, a prominent marketplace for 3D models used by architects, video producers, and game designers, serves as a notable example of this trend. Approximately one year prior to the report, CGTrader enabled designers to upload AI-generated assets alongside their traditionally created models. The platform hosts over two million 3D models, forming the foundational components for various creative projects. However, data from CGTrader indicates that an abundance of AI-generated products does not automatically translate to market popularity, with buyers continuing to favor human-made goods. A recent analysis of CGTrader's sales data, covering the period from June 2025 to May 2026, revealed that AI-generated models constituted one in six uploads but accounted for a mere $1 out of every $90 in revenue and only 2.6% of total sales. The report explicitly stated, “AI is entering the catalog rapidly, but buyers aren’t yet opening their wallets for it.” Further investigation into customer experiences showed that only 5% of CGTrader's clientele found AI models satisfactory after trying them, while 20% deemed them inadequate. Dalia Lasaite, CEO of CGTrader, attributed this consumer reluctance not to a dislike of AI itself, but to a higher valuation of human craftsmanship. Lasaite explained to Fortune that buyers seek superior quality on the marketplace, and at present, this quality is predominantly associated with human-created 3D models. This sentiment is echoed in broader consumer attitudes towards AI in creative applications. A 2025 study conducted by Stanford University explored this dynamic, presenting participants with an online marketplace featuring both AI-generated and human-produced art. The findings from this study are expected to shed further light on consumer perception and purchasing decisions when faced with AI-generated creative content versus human-made alternatives. The disparity in sales revenue and customer satisfaction highlights a significant gap between the production of AI assets and their market acceptance, suggesting that current AI outputs may not yet meet the quality expectations of discerning consumers in specialized creative fields. This situation presents a challenge for platforms and creators relying on AI-generated content to capture market share and revenue, indicating a need for improved AI capabilities or a shift in consumer perception before widespread adoption of AI-generated creative assets occurs.