Latest news with #BarbieBoxChallenge
USA Today
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
We turned ourselves into action figures using AI. Here's how it went.
We turned ourselves into action figures using AI. Here's how it went. Show Caption Hide Caption How to spot spot AI generated images Images generated by artificial intelligence can be convincing at first. Here are some things to look for if you're unsure if the image is real or not. Social media users are once again using artificial intelligence to turn themselves into cartoon characters − this time, action figures and Barbie-like dolls. As part of the so-called "Barbie Box Challenge," folks are sharing photos of themselves, alongside a specifically-worded prompt, to OpenAI's ChatGPT in hopes of receiving a custom digital doll that looks just like them, with their favorite accessories, all sealed in plastic. The new trend comes less than a month after OpenAI launched its new image generator, GPT-4o. The new machine learning software operates like previous versions of ChatGPT but allows users to create images from prompts and file uploads. Here's what to know about the AI trend and how USA TODAY used OpenAI's new ChatGPT software to create its own journalist dolls. What is the 'Barbie Box Challenge'? Though the trend's origins aren't completely known, it appears to have initially taken off in the marketing industry, with countless social media managers sharing their custom dolls on LinkedIn and Facebook. "This is such a cute way to re-introduce yourself to your audience, re-introduce your employees or even make an action figure ... of what your ideal target audience/consumer looks like," Texas-based Revival Marketing shared in a social media post last week. More: What is generative AI? Benefits, pitfalls and how to use it in your day-to-day. How to turn yourself into an action figure with AI Using a free OpenAI account and the right prompts, anyone can create a personalized action figurine. Here are two examples of how we did it. Example using prompt from Revival Marketing on Facebook: "Can you create a Barbie action figure in 3D of a (insert job title here) wearing (insert accessories or desired clothing here) with (insert some things you always have with you here) in the box. Can you make the box (insert branding color(s) here) colored, with (insert branding symbol(s) here, with the box labeled as (insert job title here)." ChatGPT will then prompt you to add a photo of the person you'd like to create a figurine based on for reference. USA TODAY reporter Mary Walrath-Holdridge used the following prompt and photo and received the following result: "Using this reference picture, can you create a Barbie action figure in 3D of a journalist wearing jeans and a newsprint tank top with a laptop, book, and newspapers in the box? Can you make the box (black) colored, with the box labeled as (Mary)?" To refine the image, Walrath-Holdridge asked ChatGPT to include the tattoos in the reference photo, add piercings and makeup, change the outfit, add a cat to the box, and change the hair. This was the final result, the best of four: Where did the independent cat tail come from? We're wondering the same thing, too. Here's another example using a prompt shared by Mckenna Richards on LinkedIn: "Create a photorealistic action figure of the person in the photo. The figure should be full-body and placed inside a clear plastic box with a colorful cardboard background − just like a real collectible toy. Make the packaging look as realistic as possible, including a plastic bubble cover, a hanging tab at the top, and a store-style design. Place accessories next to the figure that reflect their personality or lifestyle: (insert your accessories here). On the box: At the top, write in bold letters: (Your Name)" USA TODAY reporter Greta Cross used the following prompt and photo and received the following result: "Create a photorealistic action figure of the person in the photo, who is a journalist. The figure should be full-body and placed inside a clear plastic box with a colorful cardboard background − just like a real collectible toy. Make the packaging look as realistic as possible, including a plastic bubble cover, a hanging tab at the top, and a store-style design. Make the figurine wearing denim overall shorts, a black t-shirt underneath, and black Doc Marten boots. Make sure the nose and eyebrow piercings are included. The figurine should have no earrings. Place accessories next to the figure that reflect their personality or lifestyle: a newspaper, iced chai latte, DSLR camera, Dell laptop, reporter's notebook and a grey shorthaired tabby cat. On the box: At the top, write in bold letters: Greta. The box should be pink, like a Barbie doll box." In hopes of getting the figurine a bit more accurate, Cross asked ChatGPT to remove one of the cats, add facial piercings from the reference photo, and add jewelry. Here was the final result, the best of four: Why are there two chai lattes and a mysterious black reporter's notebook, you ask? We don't know, either. Is it free to use OpenAI? Users with a free OpenAI account are limited to the number of photos and prompts they can share before no more images can be generated for the day. OpenAI Plus, which includes unlimited file uploads and image generation, costs $20 monthly. Companies jump on AI doll trend Several companies and institutions have also jumped on the "Barbie Box Challenge" train, using ChatGPT to create action figures for their brand. "Fully charged with caffeine. No batteries required," Starbucks India shared in a social media post last week, featuring a Starbucks barista doll that comes with a Starbucks teddy bear, hot drink and croissant. Starbucks India did not immediately respond for clarification about how the digital figurine was created when contacted by USA TODAY on Tuesday. Andy's Frozen Custard, a Midwest custard chain, shared an action figure of their mascot Hugh on Monday. Featured in a plastic blister package, the Hugh figurine is seen holding a custard cone and comes with a red Andy's hat that can be added to the figure. An Andy's spokesperson told USA TODAY that the company did use OpenAI's ChatGPT to create the base image, but a graphic designer finalized it, as the AI continued to spell certain words wrong, including custard. A graphic designer also tweaked the custard to look more scoopable and manually added the Andy's logo on the red hat, as it did not translate well via AI. The University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada used its mascot, Rex O'Saurus, to create a few different "Exam Slayer" figurines, red tyrannosauruses featuring swords, pencils, erasers, Biscoff snacks and Yogi Restful Sleep tea. According to the university's social media post, OpenAI's ChatGPT was used to create the various digital figures. New image generator receives criticism from creative community While the internet is having fun, not everyone is thrilled by the trend. After GPT-4o's release last month, fans of Studio Ghibli, an animation house founded by Hayao Miyazaki, used GPT-4o to create their own images in Ghibli style. While some people used the software to create a new profile photo in the Japanese art style, AI critics said they were concerned about AI's breach of copyright infringement. In a statement previously shared with USA TODAY, OpenAI said its goal is to provide its users with creative freedom − as much as possible. "We continue to prevent generations in the style of individual living artists, but we do permit broader studio styles, which people have used to generate and share some truly delightful and inspired original fan creations," the statement said. "We're always learning from real-world use and feedback, and we'll keep refining our policies as we go." Gabriel Cassady, co-founder of marketing agency 2oddballs Creative in Missouri, encouraged artists to embrace artificial intelligence by educating themselves first. "AI is not going anywhere − like it or not," Cassady told USA TODAY. "Will it erase human art? I don't think so, but I do think it will expand the work of artists into new art forms while irrevocably changing how we perceive (and possibly how we create) current forms of art." USA TODAY also reached out to Barbie-maker Mattel for comment on the trend but has not heard back. Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
AI-generated barbie dolls flood social media — here's how to make your own doll using AI
Listen to article Social media platforms have been swept by a new trend featuring AI-generated Barbie doll versions of users, celebrities, and brands, in what appears to be the latest viral craze fuelled by artificial intelligence. After Ghibli trend, the social media is turning plastic and pink! Inspired by the glossy packaging and stylised look of early 2000s Barbie adverts, the AI-generated images recreate users as lifelike dolls. Accessories often reflect personalities, jobs, or inside jokes, ranging from laptops and martinis to pets and designer bags. During the past 24 hours, feeds across Instagram, TikTok and X have filled with stylised images of individuals rendered as dolls, typically displayed in glossy packaging and surrounded by personalised props—from laptops and pets to cocktails and cameras. A Donald Trump doll, made by AI (Image: SWNS) The so-called Barbiecore movement is enjoying a fresh digital revival, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge AI creativity. Though the exact origins of the trend remain unclear, it appears to have started among influencers and quickly gained traction with businesses and casual users alike. Many users are sharing their results under the hashtag #BarbieBoxChallenge on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Many are using platforms like ChatGPT Plus to generate the images, blending personal photos with creative AI prompts. Here's how to turn yourself into a doll using AI The process involves uploading a photograph, often a selfie or full-body shot, and instructing the AI to reimagine the subject as a doll or action figure, complete with specific features, accessories, and packaging text. The trend has proven especially popular for celebrating milestones, showcasing team members, or simply having a bit of fun online. The phenomenon follows a series of AI-powered trends, from deepfake videos to virtual fashion campaigns. Brands have already begun tapping into the Barbie doll wave to promote collections and connect with audiences.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is the ChatGPT Barbiecore trend? Here's how to turn yourself into a doll using AI
Social media and artificial intelligence (AI) have reunited once again for a trend where users are transforming themselves into Barbie dolls. Using ChatGPT, users are transforming photographs into AI dolls depending on the instructions they provide. This comes after social media was taken over by the Ghibli-style AI frenzy. Here we explain what the trend is, how it started and how to turn yourself into a Barbie doll. I asked AI to turn me into a Barbie doll and the results are pretty fun! 💚 #barbie #tracykissbarbie — Tracy Kiss 🌎 (@misstracykiss) April 9, 2025 The "Barbiecore" aesthetic's lasting appeal is expanded upon by the most recent wave of AI art creation. This time, people want to replicate the toy-like stylisation of action figures in boxes, along with all of their accessories. With its glossy, staged commercial air, the images are reminiscent of Barbie advertisements from the 1990s and 2000s, which frequently featured logos, taglines, and made-up characters. Jumping on the viral AI doll trend. Barbie and Ken who? — The Henry Bible (@TheHenryBible) April 10, 2025 I always wanted to be a Barbie, check out my new Barbie AI ⭐️ — Dia🪷 (@practiceselfluv) April 8, 2025 Similar to a recent trend in which people employed AI to transform themselves into artwork inspired by Studio Ghibli, the style relates to interest in Barbie dolls. Although the movement has no one creator, it gained popularity in the first part of 2025. Some TikTok users have used the hashtag #BarbieBoxChallenge to highlight the boxed avatars in their videos. With the increasing availability of generative AI tools, you could be one prompt away from being an action figure. First, go to ChatGPT and create an account or log in. Either the website or the app can be used for this. Next, submit a photo of yourself that you would like turned into an action figure by clicking the Add button. A crisp, full-length photo that shows off your entire outfit is ideal. Fill in the blanks by copying and pasting the prompt below the picture: 'Create a realistic action figure (Barbie doll) of the person in this photo. The doll should be full figure and displayed in its original clear plastic box packaging. At the top of the box is the name of the toy "-". In the packaging, next to the figure are the toy's accessories including ...' Your Barbie doll image will appear when you send the message to the chatbot. Now, be patient, because it can take a while. If you don't like what you see, continue entering more information and ChatGPT will alter the doll to your liking. It will become more specific if you include extra information, like the box's colour or a phrase you would want to see at the bottom. Use your imagination! Attempt to use a different image if the one you're using isn't clear enough or the doll doesn't look like you.
