<p>In today’s fast-paced, high-stress society, psychological pressure and anxiety are on the rise. In the current entertainment-driven media consumption environment, deep cultural and emotional experiences have become increasingly important. Traditional culture is considered to have a rich spiritual core, and its presentation in short videos not only meets entertainment needs but also provides more profound rational emotional experiences. The advent of AI-generated content (AIGC) has introduced additional complexity to this phenomenon. This study explores the psychological restoration effect of AI-generated versus human-created traditional cultural short videos. Using the Expectation-Confirmation Theory and IS/IT Continuance Model, this research investigates how these videos influence viewers’ perceived creativity, refreshment, stress reduction, and continued watching intentions. Data were collected from 1,318 participants who watched two AI-generated and two human-created short videos, each featuring Chinese intangible cultural heritage on Douyin. The findings reveal that AI-generated videos exhibit higher perceived creativity, significantly contributing to viewers’ perceived refreshment and stress reduction, leading to a stronger intention to continue watching. Additionally, cultural proximity moderates these relationships, emphasizing the need for culturally resonant AI-generated content. This study highlights the potential of AI in enhancing emotional engagement and the dissemination of traditional culture, providing valuable insights for content creators and AI developers.</p>