ChatGPT's Newest Craze: Turning Users into AI Action Figures
ChatGPT has recently sparked a delightful trend sweeping across digital platforms—the transformation of users into AI-generated action figures. This fun new craze began to take off after users started sharing Studio Ghibli-style portraits, where they morph into flashy boxed dolls replete with quirky accessories and professional packaging. Who wouldn’t want to see themselves as a toy, right?
The common theme among these action figures is their resemblance to classic toys, like Barbie dolls, showcasing users in a way that reflects their professional personas. Imagine seeing yourself holding a coffee cup, sitting next to a laptop, or surrounded by your beloved books—all repackaged in vibrant, toy-store-style displays with catchy slogans. It’s a whimsical twist on personal branding!
This trend really took off on LinkedIn, where professionals are using these formats to infuse a bit of fun into their otherwise formal profiles. The concept of the “AI Action Figure” is particularly resonant. It’s especially popular among marketers, consultants, and creative types who want to stand out—literally bringing their digital personas to life. As chatter spread, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook began buzzing with this playful trend, although it seems LinkedIn is still the central hub for these creations.
At the heart of this trend is ChatGPT’s image creation tool, which is part of its GPT-4o release. Users typically start by uploading a full-body image, then crafting a detailed prompt specifying how they want the final action figure to look—including their name, outfit, and any props they wish to include. Some opt for a playful “Barbiecore” aesthetic with tons of pink sparkle, while others go for a more corporate look to match their day job vibes.
The process isn’t always straightforward—many users tweak their requests several times, playing with different prompts and changing up accessories until they achieve that perfect little figurine. What they get is a polished, toy-style portrait that cleverly balances humor with serious branding efforts.
This toy-style trend may not yet match the Ghibli portrait hype in virality, but it’s certainly created a steady stream of creative content across various social media channels. Hashtags like #AIBarbie and #BarbieBoxChallenge are gaining traction, with brands like Mac Cosmetics and NYX jumping into the mix. Not to be left out, some public figures, including US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, have even hopped on board, sharing doll variations of themselves with clever accessories like a Bible and a gavel.
Although engagement varies, and many posts receive just a few likes, the trend underscores ChatGPT’s increasing footprint in popular culture and its ability to adapt to users' creative instincts using simple, accessible tools. Remember the excitement when Ghibli-style portraits took the internet by storm? ChatGPT faced so much demand that it had to throttle image generation for free accounts temporarily. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, called it “biblical demand.”
The action figure trend may be smaller, but it follows a similar trajectory, showcasing the potential of ChatGPT’s user-friendly interface as a creative instrument. Like prior AI visual trends, it ignites discussions around identity, self-expression, and aesthetics in the digital landscape—so who knows where this will lead us next?
Many might see this playful action figure phenomenon as frivolous, but for others, it illustrates the power of what’s possible when AI is put directly into the hands of users. Whether you find yourself as a miniature version holding a steaming cup of coffee or embracing a bright Barbie-style figure on social media, ChatGPT continues to redefine how individuals express themselves in this digital age.
