Big hair, blurry visuals, vibrant neon colors, and backgrounds resembling shopping mall portrait studios… If your social media feed has recently been flooded with images reminiscent of family photo albums from the 1980s, you are not alone. There’s a good chance you might be part of this trend yourself.
Millions of people worldwide are using ChatGPT and other AI tools to transform their selfies into images that echo styles from decades past. These AI-generated images are typically created using ChatGPT’s ‘image generation’ features based on user prompts. After uploading a photo, the AI converts it into a remarkably realistic image styled from a previous decade. These pictures are easy to share across social media platforms, which explains why such trends have rapidly spread on Instagram, TikTok, and X.
However, alongside these nostalgic and visually appealing images, concerns around privacy are also escalating. Experts warn that users may unintentionally expose their personal and sensitive information when sharing these AI-generated visuals publicly. Karissa Bellis, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, emphasizes the importance of caution before disclosing personal data through AI systems.
According to Bellis, the risks associated with these AI trends could be greater than those on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or dating apps, where users typically upload high-quality photos clearly showing their faces. Many users inadvertently provide extensive personal information when discussing their work, relationships, and interests with AI chatbots.
Bellis advises people to exercise caution before engaging with viral AI trends such as creating 1980s-style images. While privacy experts do not suggest abandoning AI use altogether, they recommend that users remain conscious and vigilant about the information they share, their intentions, and how they choose to make their content public.
