ChatGpt’s image generation capabilities have led to a new wave of personalized digital creation, leading the trend of LinkedIn users turning it into action figures.
Viral Studio’s Ghibli-style portraits began to gain momentum as users saw images of themselves as boxed dolls.
There are several variations in the latest wave of self-expression generated by AI. The most common formats resemble traditional action figures and Barbie dolls, with props such as coffee mugs, books, and laptops reflecting the user’s professional life. The images are designed to resemble a toy store display with bold taglines and personalized packaging.
This movement first attracted attention on LinkedIn. Here, experts have used this format to introduce brand identity more playfully. In particular, the “AI Action Figure” format is literally trying to present what marketers, consultants, and others are trying to present themselves as stand-alone figures. The popularity of the service has since been reduced to other platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook, but engagement is primarily focused on LinkedIn.
ChatGpt’s image tool (part of the GPT-4O release) acts as an engine. Users usually upload high-resolution photos of their entire body using a custom prompt that describes the appearance of the final image. Details frequently include details about the person’s name, accessories, costume style and packaging. Some choose a nostalgic “barbicoll” vibe with pink tones and sparkle, while others stick to a corporate design that reflects everyday work.
Improvements are common. Many users go through multiple image generations, change accessories, and paraphrase the prompts until the illustration matches the personality and occupation that they need. The result was a shiny toy-style portrait that crossed the boundaries of humor and personal branding.
The toy style trends don’t see the same range of viruses as the Gibli portrait epidemic, but they are causing a stable flow of content across the platform. Hashtags such as #Aibarbie and #BarbieBoxChallenge gained traction, with some brands quickly joining in, including MAC Cosmetics and NYX. Several public figures also participated. Most notable US representative Marjorie Taylor Green shared a doll version featuring accessories such as the Bible and small giveaways.
Regardless of the buzz, engagement levels vary. Many posts undergo limited interaction, and the best known influencers avoid trends. Nevertheless, it emphasizes the presence of ChatGpt in mainstream online culture and its ability to respond to user creativity using relatively simple tools.
It’s not the first time ChatGpt’s Image Generation tool has overwhelmed the platform. When Ghibli-style portraits first went viral, demand surged quite dramatically, with Openai temporarily restricting image generation with its free account. CEO Sam Altman later described the surge in users as “Bible demand,” noting the dramatic increase in daily active users and infrastructure stress.
The trends in Barbie/Action figures are small, but follow the same path. It uses ChatGpt’s simple interface and growing popularity as a creative tool. Like other viral AI visuals, this trend also raised broader conversations about identity, aesthetics and self-presentation in the digital space. However, unlike the trend of Gibli portraits, it has not yet attracted criticism at least.
The appeal of the format is its simplicity. It provides users with a way to engage with AI-generated art without the need for technical skills, satisfying the impulse of self-expression. The result is something like some professional headshots, some novelty toys, some visual jokes, and an incredibly versatile format for social media sharing.
Some view the phenomenon of toy models as gimmicks, while others view AI tools as a window into what is possible when placed directly in the user’s hands.
For now, whether it’s a mini mine with a coffee mug or a Barbie-style figure ready for toy shelves, ChatGpt is again changing the way people choose to represent themselves in the digital age.
(Photo by photo)
See: How to use ChatGpt hit records after Viral Ghibli feature – here are four risks to know first
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