AI-Generated Action Figures Go Viral, But Privacy, Copyright Concerns Loom
News Desk
Islamabad: A new internet sensation, fueled by the growing reach of artificial intelligence, has taken over social media platforms, as users worldwide rush to create and share AI-generated images of themselves as plastic-packaged action figures.
Thanks to ChatGPT’s latest image generator—now available free of charge—millions of users have transformed their likeness into lifelike, digital figurines reminiscent of childhood toys. From TikTok to Instagram and even LinkedIn, social feeds are brimming with toy-style caricatures that blur the line between digital art and physical reality.
Among the viral avatars are satirical and celebrity editions. A digitally rendered Lionel Messi stands proudly with football trophies, while an AI-crafted version of former US President Donald Trump features a red MAGA cap and a “tariffs” sign. Even Hollywood icons joined in—actress Brooke Shields shared her own miniaturized version on Instagram, complete with a tiny dog and needlepoint kit, drawing thousands of likes from her 2.5 million followers.
Ordinary users were quick to follow suit, uploading selfies into the generator to receive similar stylized portrayals. Despite the whimsical nature of the trend, it has ignited debates about digital ethics and data privacy.
While OpenAI’s rendering tool remains free, users must register to access the platform—a move that has significantly boosted the company’s user base and expanded its visibility in the AI-driven consumer tech market.
Anais Loubere, a Paris-based social media strategist and founder of Digital Pipelettes, described the action-figure craze as a “technological breakthrough in visual realism,” suggesting that the appeal lies in the blend of advanced image generation and nostalgic aesthetics.
Experts say this isn’t the first AI-powered trend to go viral. In March, OpenAI’s paid users generated images in the artistic style of Studio Ghibli, the Oscar-winning animation studio, stirring both fascination and controversy.
Ahlem Abidi-Barthe, a professor of online marketing, said the success of both trends is rooted in personalization and nostalgia. “It tickles the ego and reminds people of childhood. That’s a powerful combination for virality,” she told reporters.
The explosion of AI-generated content, however, hasn’t come without backlash. Artists and creators have raised alarms over the use of copyrighted material in AI training datasets. OpenAI, along with other generative AI firms, now faces multiple lawsuits in the United States, accused of using intellectual property without proper licensing. Though the companies assert compliance with copyright laws, they have yet to disclose the specific content used in training.
Beyond copyright, data privacy has emerged as a growing concern. Users frequently upload not just their own images, but also those of friends or relatives—often without consent. Joe Davies, a tech analyst at UK-based SEO firm Fatjoe, warned, “When you upload a selfie to an AI generator, you’re giving away valuable biometric data to companies with vague data policies. Your image is your data—and your data has value.”
Environmental concerns are also under scrutiny. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet highlighted the carbon footprint of generative AI tools, noting that the energy required for one image prompt is significantly higher than for a standard Google search. The International Energy Agency estimates a single ChatGPT text prompt uses 2.9 watt-hours of electricity—ten times that of a basic web query—with image generation consuming even more.
Despite the enthusiasm, analysts believe the trend has already begun to plateau. “Once you’ve seen the 50th AI action figure on LinkedIn or Instagram, it starts to lose its charm,” Loubere said, predicting the fad’s inevitable fade.
As AI becomes more embedded in everyday digital experiences, this latest episode offers a glimpse into the benefits—and risks—of mass adoption. While the action figure trend may be fleeting, the conversations it sparked about data, ownership, and ethics in AI are likely to endure.
