AI action figure meme goes viral with ChatGPT image generator

ChatGPT’s image tool fuels a social media frenzy with toy-like avatars of celebrities and users alike.

A person uses a mobile phone to create Studio Ghibli-style art with ChatGPT in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 8, 2025. Photo by Nasir Kachroo/Nur

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

It started innocently enough—an AI-generated image of a well-known person in a plastic blister pack, toy-style, complete with themed props. But in just a few weeks, the AI action figure meme has exploded into a viral sensation. Powered by ChatGPT’s image generator, this latest internet obsession is flooding platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and even LinkedIn, where digital avatars of everyone from global celebrities to ordinary users are packaged like toys in hyper-realistic detail.

In its essence, the AI action figure meme taps into nostalgia, humor, and the boundless possibilities of generative artificial intelligence. It’s a blend of fun and fascination—but also raises critical questions about privacy, data use, and copyright in the age of AI.

A toy box for the internet age

Imagine Lionel Messi inside a toy box, standing next to a football and a shelf of golden trophies. Or U.S. President Donald Trump packaged alongside a MAGA hat and miniature “tariffs” sign. These are just a few examples of the viral images sweeping across the internet as users embrace ChatGPT’s free image generation tool.

Actor Brooke Shields even joined in the trend by posting a stylized “doll” version of herself—complete with a needlepoint kit and tiny dog—to her 2.5 million Instagram followers. But it’s not just public figures jumping on the bandwagon. Everyday users are turning themselves into AI toys by uploading their own photos and letting ChatGPT render them into customized figurines.

This ability to create personalized avatars is a key driver behind the trend. As Ahlem Abidi-Barthe, a professor of online marketing, explains, “They can be in personalised formats. That tickles the egos of consumers.” That ego-driven engagement, paired with childhood nostalgia, contributes to what she calls “extreme virality.”

The AI meme trend grows fast—and wide

Before the rise of the AI action figure meme, another AI visual trend caught fire—users creating artwork in the style of Studio Ghibli, the beloved Japanese animation studio. These dreamlike images, often posted by users who subscribe to OpenAI’s premium services, filled feeds with characters rendered in the lush aesthetic of films like Spirited Away.

According to Anais Loubere, founder of digital agency Digital Pipelettes, the action figure and Ghibli trends are rooted in the same “technological breakthrough”—the increasingly powerful rendering capabilities of AI models. “We’re seeing a boom driven by advances in image generation,” Loubere said.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the moment the company’s image service became free, they gained a million new users “in the last hour.” And by March, ChatGPT had become the most downloaded app in the world, surpassing TikTok and Instagram, as reported by analytics firm Appfigures.

Not all fun and games

Despite the joy and creativity of the AI action figure meme, concerns are emerging around data privacy and intellectual property. Users must sign up with OpenAI’s imaging platform to generate their images. That process involves sharing personal information—and possibly biometric data in the form of selfies.

“When people upload selfies or prompts to these AI generators, they’re essentially handing over personal data to companies with unclear intentions,” said Joe Davies, a tech expert with British SEO agency Fatjoe. “Your image is data, and data has value.”

The issue goes beyond personal privacy. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and others have been criticized for using copyrighted content without proper licensing. For instance, the Studio Ghibli-inspired images went viral despite OpenAI not having a license to use the studio’s unique style. Human artists are increasingly voicing frustration that their work is being copied without credit or compensation.

Lawsuits over copyright infringement have been filed in the U.S. against several AI firms, including OpenAI, but no legal precedent has yet been established. In the meantime, companies continue to train their models using vast amounts of data—some of which may include unlicensed or unauthorized material.

The environmental impact of AI creativity

Beyond the legal and ethical dimensions, there’s also an environmental cost to the AI meme trend. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet recently pointed out that each text-based ChatGPT prompt uses around 2.9 watt-hours of electricity—roughly ten times the power of a single Google search. Generating images consumes even more energy, adding to the carbon footprint of our digital activities.

It’s a reminder that behind the whimsical memes and viral content lies a powerful and energy-intensive infrastructure. The surge in AI-powered content may be delightful on the surface, but it’s not without its real-world consequences.

A trend destined to fade?

Like many online fads, the AI action figure meme may already be nearing its peak. “These trends aren’t meant to last,” said Loubere. “By the time you see the 50th AI action figure on LinkedIn or Insta, you know it’s saturated.”

Still, the meme reflects a deeper shift in how we engage with technology and identity. As generative AI tools become more accessible, users are increasingly blurring the line between digital creativity and personal expression. We’re not just posting selfies anymore—we’re transforming ourselves into characters, caricatures, and creations with just a few prompts.

The ChatGPT action figure trend may soon give way to the next big thing, but it’s part of a broader evolution in how we use artificial intelligence to tell stories, connect with others, and reimagine ourselves in virtual form.

The future of AI meme trends

As OpenAI and other tech companies continue to refine their tools, new AI-driven memes will emerge. Some will be silly, some will be nostalgic, and others may be controversial. But all of them will spark conversations about the trade-offs between innovation, privacy, and creativity.

For now, the AI action figure meme remains a fascinating snapshot of what happens when cutting-edge technology meets mass participation and playful imagination. It’s a story about tech, but it’s also a story about us—how we see ourselves, how we want to be seen, and how we shape the digital worlds we now inhabit.

Whether you’re a fan of the trend or already over it, one thing is clear: AI is no longer just a tool. It’s a toy. And the internet can’t stop playing.