As you browse through social media platforms, you might have noticed lately that your acquaintances and relatives are showing up in smaller sizes.
This is part of a emerging phenomenon where individuals utilize generative AI systems such as ChatGPT and Copilot to recreate themselves virtually—specifically as compact dolls and action figures.
It has gained popularity online, as both brands and influencers have started to create their own miniature versions of things.
However, some individuals are advising people to avoid this apparently harmless trend, arguing that the anxiety over missing out should not overshadow worries regarding AI’s energy consumption and data usage.
What is the process behind how an AI doll generator functions?
This might seem complex, yet the procedure is straightforward.
Individuals post an image of themselves alongside detailed textual instructions to a platform such as ChatGPT, specifying exactly how they desire the final result to appear.
These instructions are really important.
Users provide the AI tool with all the details needed for generation, including specific items desired as well as the type of packaging required—this can involve replicating boxes and fonts similar to those used for famous toys such as Barbie.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIQvPbvIA2K/
A lot of online platforms subsequently personalize it even more by incorporating details such as the user’s name, occupation, and attire preferences.
Though it does not always work, and many have also shared some of the amusing mistakes the tools made, where the action dolls look nothing like them.
Similar to other types of generative AI tools, image generators can also fabricate content and might make presumptions regarding a person’s appearance.
And it’s not just regular people using it – the trend has been seized upon by a wealth of brands online including beauty company Mario Badescu and even Royal Mail.
We had to get in on the toy action figure trend! 🚀🪀🧸
We love it! What do you think? 👇 pic.twitter.com/YUKnfbcJQY
— Royal Mail (@RoyalMail) April 9, 2025
What’s the appeal?
Trends come and go – but by their very nature can make people feel compelled to take part to avoid missing out.
Jasmine Enberg, who works as the principal social media analyst at eMarketer, states that “generative AI simplifies and accelerates the process of content creation and trend adoption for individuals.”
She mentioned that the technology allowed for faster and more convenient creation of online content, potentially leading to an increased rate at which other social media users become irritated by it.
However, she thinks that AI-generated trends will increasingly show up in our social media feeds as this technology becomes an integral part of our online existence.
What are the major worries?
However, despite its lighthearted appeal that initially attracted many followers, the trend has faced criticism from those worried about its ecological consequences.
Professor Gina Neff of Queen Mary University London told the GaptekZoneChatGPT is “burning through energy”, and the data centres used to power it consume more electricity in a year than 117 countries.
“There’s a running joke at our place that each time we make one of these AI memes, a tree dies somewhere,” said Lance Ulanoff, who serves as the US editor for TechRadar.
in an article about the trend
.
“That’s hyperbole, of course, but it’s safe to say that AI content generation is not without costs, and perhaps we should be thinking about it and using it differently.”
- What is AI and how does it impact the environment?
Others have raised issues regarding the potential use of copyrighted material to develop the technology that produces images, possibly without compensating the rights holders.
As Ms Neff stated, ChatGPT Barbie poses a triple threat to our privacy, our culture, and our environment.
Although personalization may seem appealing, these systems mix brands and characters together without considering the consequences of the resulting mess.
Jo Bromilow, who directs social media and influencer activities at the PR and creative firm MSL UK, poses the question: “Is an adorable, amusing outcome truly worth it?”
She stated that if we aim to utilize AI effectively, we must establish boundaries for its responsible usage.
Testing the AI doll trend
By Zoe Kleinman, Technology Editor for GaptekZone
Initially, I located a recommended prompt from an online source—a set of guidelines to input into the AI tool so that it could produce the desired image.
You must upload your personal selfie along with your request and provide clear details about exactly what you’re looking for, specifying the accessories you desire and the color of the box you prefer.
My initial submission for my job title was rejected as I had mentioned “GaptekZoneNews,” which apparently breached the content guidelines—likely due to the fact that the current policies do not permit using outputs from the GaptekZone with ChatGPT.
After obtaining an image, you might feel inclined to refine it more; my initial try turned out overly cartoony.
The revised version ended up making me appear significantly older than I actually am, but also too childish at times. Eventually, I stopped attempting to change the eye color to match mine—since it kept reverting to blue—and settled for how it looked because my eyes are a mix of hazel and green.
It took a couple of minutes to generate each version and overall the process was slower than I would have liked, potentially because of its popularity.
At times, it felt like too much effort for just a fleeting fashion, plus it’s not flawless — my doll is protruding well beyond what was intended within the packaging.
But more importantly, somewhere in a data centre some hot computer servers were toiling away to make Action Figure Zoe.
They almost certainly could have been put to work on worthier causes.
- ‘Chubby filter’ pulled from TikTok after user backlash
- H&M plans to utilize digital replicas of models in their advertisements and social media platforms.
- Power grids strain as AI requirements increase
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