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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.
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@usatoday.com.