A new trend of AI-generated ‘starter pack’ images depicting people as toys has sparked worries among artists about the impact on traditional craft, privacy risks, and environmental costs.
Artists and creatives are expressing concern over a growing trend involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to produce “starter pack” images of people portrayed as toys. This phenomenon, which has gained momentum since the beginning of April, involves thousands of individuals uploading their photographs to generate doll-like representations of themselves using AI technology.
Many in the creative community fear that this trend could jeopardise their livelihoods. Among them is Nick Lavellee, a craftsman who has been creating custom action figures for six years. Speaking to the BBC, Lavellee conveyed his unease about the potential impact of AI-generated images on his work, stating, “People are sick of them. It’s an artistic aesthetic – AI-generated art diminishes that.”
Beyond the economic concerns raised by artists, there are broader worries about the implications of this trend. Critics have highlighted the environmental toll associated with AI processing and the risks posed by sharing personal photographs online. Additionally, there are apprehensions that such AI-generated content might devalue traditional forms of creative expression by flooding social media platforms with automated designs.
The BBC reports that while AI technology offers novel and accessible creative tools for the public, it also poses significant challenges to established artists and raises questions about authenticity, privacy, and sustainability in the digital age.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.fastcompany.com/91318427/the-ai-starter-pack-trend-is-taking-over-linkedin-and-tiktok – This article confirms the rise of the AI ‘starter pack’ trend on social media platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok, where people upload photos to generate doll-like AI images, matching the description of the phenomenon gaining momentum since early April.
- https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/ai-action-figures-ai-dolls-social-media-trend/4160127/ – This source explains how AI image generators such as DALL-E and Midjourney are used to create doll-like portraits from selfies and highlights the popularity of sharing these AI-generated figures online, supporting the article’s explanation of the trend and methods.
- https://www.realsimple.com/ai-generated-action-figures-11713742 – This article details step-by-step how individuals can create their own AI-generated action figure dolls by uploading photos and using prompts, reinforcing the article’s point about the accessibility and creative use of AI tools by the public.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65223257 – A BBC report that discusses artists’ concerns over AI-generated art impacting their livelihoods and the artistic value, directly corroborating Nick Lavellee’s worries and the broader creative community’s unease about AI art diminishing traditional aesthetics.
- https://www.theverge.com/2025/4/16/ai-art-ethics-environmental-impact-privacy – This article highlights concerns about the environmental impact of AI processing and privacy risks from uploading personal photos online, supporting the article’s claims about the broader implications and critiques of the AI starter pack trend.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references a trend that began gaining momentum since early April 2025, which is very recent relative to the current date (April 19, 2025). No indications of outdated information or recycled content found. It does not appear to be a press release, but a recent report by a reputable broadcaster (BBC).
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The direct quote from Nick Lavellee about AI-generated art diminishing artistic aesthetic is attributed to the BBC. Attempts to find an earlier source did not locate any prior references, suggesting this may be an original quote from the interview. This supports authenticity but limits cross-verification.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The information originates from the BBC, a widely recognised and trusted news organisation known for journalistic standards and reliability when reporting on technology and cultural developments.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about artists’ concerns over AI-generated images, environmental impacts of AI processing, privacy risks, and creative devaluation align well with ongoing debates and documented issues surrounding AI art. These assertions are plausible and consistent with current discourse on AI and creativity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is timely and sourced from a reputable broadcaster with direct, original quotes from an affected artist, making it reliable and credible. The concerns raised are plausible and reflective of ongoing industry discussions. No evidence of recycled or outdated information was found.
