ChatGPT's New Image Generator Sparks "AI Action Figure" Trend

Let ChatGPT Turn You Into an Action Figure: How it Works

Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto. I'm laughing my butt off. I asked ChatGPT to make me into an action figure so I could ride the wave of the viral AI trend. And, wow, did it deliver. It turned me into a rock star figurine in skin-tight leather, suitable for ages 4 and up. The amusing action figure trend has expanded across social media in recent days. It's also called the "Barbie box" trend. It's tough to pinpoint the origin but you're probably seeing your friends, family and colleagues sharing images of themselves reimagined as packaged toys. Here's how to use ChatGPT to make an image of your own. Pop on over to ChatGPT, which now offers free image generation for everyone. I asked ChatGPT how many images it would let me make free and it said it would do up to 15 per day. After that, image generation goes on pause for free users until the limit resets. I queried ChatGPT for guidance on how to make me into an action figure. It asked for a full-body photo. You can upload images from the "ask anything" box. I found a not-very-clear shot from my photo archives and sent it along. Good enough, I figured. The AI service asked me for preferences for outfit or costume, pose or expression, accessories or weapons, name or title for the action figure and packaging style -- such as retro, modern or comic-book inspired. You can be as detailed or vague as you like. I went with vague: "I'd like my outfit to look like a rock star with a rocking pose, a guitar and a retro packaging style." It can take ChatGPT a few moments to generate your action figure. If you like what you see, then go ahead and download it and blast it across your socials. If ChatGPT doesn't quite nail it, then ask for tweaks. I tried a new version with blue jeans and a pink Telecaster guitar. It delivered but forgot the action figure part and the new image looked further removed from my actual facial appearance. A third tweak took me into Billy Idol territory when I asked for spiky blonde hair. My action figure's leg ended up outside of the "plastic" packaging window. I tried again. Don't expect perfection. The more I asked for changes, the weirder it got. Eventually, ChatGPT turned me into a Jon Bon Jovi-esque figure with three fingers on my left hand playing a guitar with seven strings. Need some inspiration? Check out these fun and funny AI action figures shared on social media. The UK's Royal Mail took to Instagram to share its adorable "Postie" action figure, complete with an envelope and an optional safety vest. Seinfeld fan account Seinfeldism generated a series of Seinfeld-related images. The Kramer is pitch-perfect. Barbie boxes aren't just for humans. Bear, a German shepherd with 134,000 Instagram followers, looks pretty sweet as a toy. ChatGPT is reasonably skillful at taking a full-body photo and transforming it into a fake toy. If nothing else, it should give you a good laugh. Get creative with it. I actually play in a rock band. ChatGPT was surprisingly accurate with how I dress on a gig night, even though it made me look a little like a female Bruce Springsteen. Rock on, ChatGPT.

This viral ChatGPT trend lets you turn yourself into an action figure -- here's how to do it

There's never been a better time to transform yourself into an action figure because ChatGPT makes it so easy. Thanks to the image generator within the GPT-4o model, you can turn yourself and your friends into tiny virtual figurines tailored to match your individual personalities. I even transformed Tom's Guide's editor-in-chief, Mark Spoonauer, into the superhero he truly embodies. Ready to see yourself as a collectible action figure? Here's how to do it using ChatGPT, along with a few great alternatives. 1. Open ChatGPT Visit chatgpt.com in your browser or use the ChatGPT mobile app. 2. Choose GPT-4o If you're a ChatGPT Plus member, select the GPT-4o model from the dropdown. Free users can still try this, but may experience slower results and a daily cap on image generations. 3. Upload a clear photo Choose a high-resolution photo of yourself. A full-body image works best, especially if you want your action figure to capture your outfit and accessories. 4. Write a creative prompt Now for the fun part. Describe exactly what you want the AI to generate. You can guide it in designing packaging, including accessories, and more. Here's a sample prompt you can customize: "Turn the person in this photo into a realistic action figure inside plastic packaging like a collector's toy. The figure should be smiling and posed in an upright position. Add a nameplate at the top and include accessories on one side, like a camera, phone, laptop, and sneakers. Use a black background to highlight the figure, and make sure it looks just like me." 5. Review and adjust Once the image is generated, take a look. You can refine the prompt or regenerate if you want different colors, poses, or features. Play around until you get your perfect plastic twin. For those who don't have ChatGPT or prefer to step outside the proverbial box, there are several alternatives to generate an AI image of yourself as an action figure. Synthesia offers realistic 'selfie avatars' that even use your voice to help them seem even more believable. Microsoft Image Creator allows users to create Lego-style or Funko Pop-style versions of themselves. Just log in with a Microsoft account and try prompts like "Lego figure of a fashion blogger" or "Funko Pop of a space explorer." Meta AI also allows you to upload photos and describe your ideal action figure design -- whether you want a retro vibe, superhero suit, or full-on fantasy armor. OpenArt AI Toy Generator is a great, user-friendly option that works well with even the most basic text prompts. Although it is subscription-based, users can take advantage of the free trial to test out different looks. Creating a custom action figure with AI is a creative way to express your personality, celebrate your interests, and imagine your superhero alter ego. Whether you use ChatGPT's GPT-4o or explore one of the many alternative tools available, the process is simple, entertaining, and surprisingly addictive. How'd it go? Comment below to share your experience. Even better, share your images and I'll update this article with a few of the best ones.

ChatGPT Can Turn You Into a Toy Action Figure

Last month, ChatGPT upgraded its AI image generator to a powerful new model which has generated a lot of buzz. First, there was the Studio Ghibli style images, but a new trend now sees people becoming toy action figures in a box. It works by the user uploading a photo of themselves to ChatGPT and typing in a prompt, something along the lines of: "Create a picture of me as a 3D action figure toy, as if it were displayed in a transparent plastic packaging, blister packaging model." The user can add accessories by telling ChatGPT to include supporting items like a camera, a lens, and a tripod. You can also tell it to include your name on the box as well as a title, like "Photographer." PetaPixel has spotted numerous photographers on the internet jumping on the trend. We've rounded up a few examples from Instagram below. ChatGPT shared a prompt on how to make the AI-generated image. Which is as follows. Prompt: Draw a picture of me as a real-life action figure. Be specific as possible based on what you know about me. And put multiple interesting things that represent who I am inside the packaging. However, there are other prompts and styles available. You can make it way more specific to try and control the image a little better. The Make It Simple Youtube channel shared the following prompt for making a Cristiano Ronaldo figurine which you can edit accordingly. Prompt: Create a picture of a 3D action figure toy, as if it were displayed in a transparent plastic packaging, blister packaging model. The figure is as in the photo, the style is relaxed, friendly smile. On the top of the packaging there is a large writing: "CRISTIANO RONALDO" then below it "FOOTBALLER". Also add some supporting work items next to the figure, like a ball, shoes, and a world cup trophy. The packaging design is minimalist, cardboard color, cute toy style sold in stores. The style is cartoon, cute but still neat and clean, ala-ala mattel toys, also give the mattel logo in the top corner." AI remains controversial but features like this are undeniably impressive. Creating an image like this would have taken hours of work and years of expertise, now it can be done in a matter of seconds from a simple text prompt.

Want to be an AI action figure? Just give ChatGPT a full-body pic.

If your FYP, timeline, or feed feels like a toy aisle lately, you're not imagining things. The latest internet trend has everyone turning themselves -- or their favorite characters -- into AI-generated action figures. These digital creations are everywhere. Instagram, X, TikTok, and even -- actually, especially -- LinkedIn, have all been inundated with them. The trend is so widespread that even ESPN, a site hardly known for covering internet fads, recently highlighted soccer stars like Lionel Messi getting the action figure treatment. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The trend has skewed toward being, well, pretty boring. People are using it to create LinkedIn posts featuring, say, content marketer action figures wearing lanyards and badges. Still, that hasn't stopped folks from creating more action figures -- and it's not super difficult. Most folks are creating these action figures with ChatGPT, so you'd first have to log in. Image generation is free now, so you shouldn't have to pay to make your own action figure. From there, you just have to deliver a prompt to create a figure. A viral Instagram post from @chatgptricks gives a sample prompt that details wanting the action figure in a plastic shell, surrounded by objects that reflect their career, while also giving details about the desired outfit and facial expression. Others recommend getting specific -- include the kinds of accessories or background elements you'd want in the packaging. And yes, you'll need to upload a full-body photo of yourself to ChatGPT. That part's kind of obvious, but it's also where some folks pause. It's always worth thinking about how much personal info you're comfortable sharing with AI, even when it's just for fun.

We turned ourselves into action figures using AI. Here's how it went.

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. 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

AI action figures flood social media

The trend has frustrated illustrators who oppose the use of unlicensed artwork to train these artificial intelligence tools, and who remain concerned about the effects of AI on their livelihoods. Several have responded by posting similar images of figurines that they illustrated themselves.This week, actress Brooke Shields posted an image of an action-figure version of herself that came with a needlepoint kit and a pet terrier. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., imagined her own figurine accompanied by a gavel and a Bible. These hyper-realistic dolls are nowhere to be found in toy stores, at least for the time being. They are being created using artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT. In recent weeks, social media users have been turning to AI to generate Barbie-fied versions of themselves, their dogs or their favorite famous figures. Anna Wintour has not been spared the AI-doll treatment. Neither has Ludwig van Beethoven. The trend has frustrated illustrators who oppose the use of unlicensed artwork to train these artificial intelligence tools, and who remain concerned about the effects of AI on their livelihoods. Several have responded by posting similar images of figurines that they illustrated themselves. "HUMAN MADE," reads a text bubble in the corner of one such illustration by Linh Truong, who depicted herself with her sketchbook and her cat, Kayla. Truong, 23, an artist who lives in New York City, sees the AI action figures, the latest of several AI portraiture trends, as a way that tech companies are trying to connect with users on a personal level. "They're like, 'We want you to see yourself in our product,'" she said. To plenty of people, that's a tempting possibility. Suzie Geria, 37, a fitness trainer in Toronto, thought the action figure created for her by ChatGPT was surprisingly realistic. It came with a kettlebell and a cartoon peach to represent the glute-focused class she teaches at a nearby gym. "It's kind of cool to see yourself reflected in a cartoon form," she said. "I think we're looking at other ways to see ourselves in the world we live in, which is very much online." Geria said she had empathy for those who worked in industries that might suffer job loss because of AI. "It's a tough one, but it's bringing people joy as well," she said. Pat Bassermann, 42, who works in marketing and lives in Andover, Massachusetts, typed a paragraph-long prompt into ChatGPT to create an action figure of himself on Thursday. "Use this photo of me to create an action figure of myself in a blister pack, in the style like a premium collectible toy," he wrote, adding requests for grilling tongs and a "relaxed, friendly smile." He uploaded a headshot, and was presented with an image seconds later. "Wife & Kids Not Included. Messy House Sold Separately," reads a line of text at the bottom of the image. Soon, his three daughters wanted their own versions. In a few more minutes, they were presented with figurines with ponytails, accessorized with ballet slippers, a video game controller and a cup of Boba tea. As AI platforms have surged in popularity, their image-generating abilities have come under scrutiny. Artists and musicians have argued that the technology threatens their livelihoods. Deepfake images, many of them explicit, have confounded schools, political campaigns and celebrities. (The New York Times filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, accusing them of using published work without permission to train artificial intelligence. They have denied those claims.) In March, social media was flooded with videos that used ChatGPT to replicate the style of Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. In response, some users circulated a clip of Miyazaki calling AI "an insult to life itself" in a 2016 documentary. Martha Ratcliff, 29, an illustrator in Leeds, England, said she spent years developing a distinctive style of portraiture. She said she felt frustrated every time she saw a new AI portrait trend that ostensibly drew from the work of real artists without compensation. She gets that it's fun to hop on a trend, she said. "But I think if you look at the bigger picture, there are a lot of creatives that are worried," she added. "You just don't want it to wipe out the whole creative industry." She spent about 20 minutes on Saturday making her own hand-drawn rendition of the trend. She depicted herself holding her newborn, surrounded by flowers, colored pencils and a steaming mug that said "mama." "A human doing it is so much better than a robot," she said.

Transform Your Photos into Action Figures with ChatGPT

Ever wondered how to turn a simple photo of yourself into a fully customized action figure? For anyone who's dreamed of seeing themselves as a superhero, a cartoon character, or even a Barbie-style collectible, the process might seem like something out of a sci-fi movie. But thanks to AI tools like ChatGPT, this creative transformation is now not only possible but also surprisingly accessible. In this guide by Howfinity, you'll discover how to use AI to create personalized action figures in three viral styles, from hyperrealistic designs to playful claymation-inspired characters. Whether you're a collector, a gift-giver, or just curious about the latest tech trends, this step-by-step walkthrough will show you how to bring your vision to life. By following Howfinity's guide, you'll learn everything you need to know to get started -- from uploading a photo and crafting the perfect prompts to downloading your design and even exploring future options for 3D-printed versions. Along the way, you'll uncover tips for customizing every detail, from accessories to packaging, making sure your action figure is as unique as you are. This tutorial isn't just about creating a digital collectible; it's about tapping into the intersection of creativity and innovative technology to make something truly personal. The concept of turning personal photos into AI-generated action figures has gained significant traction. This innovative process blends artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and advanced digital rendering to create highly personalized designs. Whether you envision a hyperrealistic figure, a cartoon-inspired version, or a Barbie-style collectible, tools like ChatGPT make it possible to bring these ideas to life. This trend reflects the growing demand for unique, customized items that merge creativity with technology. By using AI, users can explore endless design possibilities, making this process accessible to hobbyists, collectors, and gift-givers alike. To begin creating your AI action figure, you'll need the following tools and resources: These tools form the foundation of the process, making sure that your designs are both accurate and visually appealing. Find more information on AI generated images by browsing our extensive range of articles, guides and tutorials. The process of creating an AI-generated action figure is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps: By following these steps, you can easily create a unique and personalized action figure that reflects your vision. ChatGPT offers the flexibility to experiment with various design aesthetics. Here are three viral styles to consider: These styles cater to a wide range of preferences, allowing you to choose the aesthetic that best suits your personality or the intended recipient. One of the most exciting aspects of AI-generated action figures is the ability to personalize every detail. ChatGPT allows you to specify various elements, making sure your figure is truly one-of-a-kind. Customization options include: For example, you could design a superhero version of yourself, complete with a cape, custom logo, and themed packaging. These options make it easy to tailor your action figure to your preferences or create a memorable gift for someone special. While the process is accessible and user-friendly, there are a few limitations to keep in mind: Being aware of these factors can help you achieve the best possible outcome when creating your AI action figure. The next phase in this creative space is the emergence of dedicated platforms for 3D-printed action figures. These services will allow users to seamlessly order physical versions of their AI-generated designs, complete with customized packaging. This development bridges the gap between digital creations and tangible collectibles, making it easier than ever to bring your designs to life. As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for AI-generated action figures will expand, offering even more opportunities for personalization and creativity. Whether you're a collector, a hobbyist, or simply looking for a unique gift, this trend represents an exciting intersection of art and technology.

The realism of this AI action figure trend is scarily impressive

Have you ever wondered what you'd look like as an action figure? No? Me neither, but in case you're curious now, this latest AI trend has just the answer. With the mystical power of good ol' AI, people are transforming themselves into dinky collectable figurines complete with micro accessories, and the results are surprisingly good. While AI tools can be used for productivity, the allure of creating silly pictures with AI image generators seems to be far more appealing to the internet. Each week there seems to be a new AI image trend that proves to me that AI can still be fun, and not just an existential crisis-inducing overlord. The process is fairly straightforward - simply upload a picture of yourself to ChatGPT and ask it to create a photorealistic image of an action figure. Depending on what style you'd like to achieve it's worth experimenting with prompts to achieve the look you're after (@cosmosKING_ has a detailed prompt to use if you're stuck for inspiration). Over on X, people flooded to share their unique creations - for some, it was even an excuse for a little cheeky self-promo. Naturally, some folks got creative, making custom figurines for public personalities (my personal favourite has to be a custom figure of memeified JD Vance). To take things a step further, some people turned the stills into video, giving them an extra layer of realism - the AI-generated Mark S. figurine below could pass as the real thing. For more AI trends, take a look at the disturbingly hilarious 'pet to person' AI trend or check out what artists think of the controversial AI Studio Ghibli trend.