The rise of AI-generated ‘starter pack’ toy images using personal photos is drawing criticism from artists worried about the impact on traditional creativity, environmental costs and data privacy.
Artists and creatives are voicing concerns over the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to produce “starter pack” images of people depicted as toys. This trend, which has seen thousands of individuals uploading their photos since early April to generate doll-like representations of themselves, is prompting worries about potential impacts on both the creative community and broader considerations such as environmental effects and privacy.
Nick Lavellee, a specialist who has crafted custom action figures for six years, expressed his apprehension to the BBC regarding the effect this AI trend might have on his profession. He highlighted the saturation of AI-generated images on social media platforms and its potential to undermine traditional artistic expression. Speaking to the BBC, Lavellee stated, “People are sick of them. It’s an artistic aesthetic – AI-generated art diminishes that.”
In addition to the perceived threat to livelihoods within the creative industries, concerns have been raised about the environmental costs associated with the AI processes, as well as the personal data risks involved when individuals share photographs for AI transformation. These issues are contributing to ongoing debates within the artistic and technological communities as the utilisation of AI in creative domains continues to expand.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/ai-action-figures-ai-dolls-social-media-trend/4160127/ – This article explains the AI-generated doll-like image trend on social media, describing how users upload their photos to generate toy-like representations and highlighting the privacy concerns related to uploading personal photos for AI transformation.
- https://www.fastcompany.com/91318427/the-ai-starter-pack-trend-is-taking-over-linkedin-and-tiktok – This source discusses the AI starter pack trend on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok, detailing how thousands have been uploading images since early April to generate personalized action figure images, supporting the article’s mention of widespread participation.
- https://lgumbinner.substack.com/p/no-ai-starter-pack – This article illuminates artists’ backlash against AI-generated images, with creatives creating their own handmade ‘starter packs’ in protest, echoing the concerns over AI diminishing traditional artistic expression as cited from Nick Lavellee in the article.
- https://www.realsimple.com/ai-generated-action-figures-11713742 – This guide details how to create AI-generated action figure dolls by uploading photos and using specific prompts, confirming the process described where thousands generate AI toy-like images, and highlighting the appeal and novelty of the trend.
- https://www.instagram.com/bubblesartcraft/p/DIji7q_Cjxk/ – This Instagram post showcases an artist responding to the AI starter pack trend by creating a human-made version instead, strongly emphasizing the viewpoint that AI-generated art is not the same as created art, supporting concerns about artistic value.
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 current trend starting from early April 2025, indicating very recent developments. No signs of outdated or recycled content detected. The mention of Nick Lavellee as an active professional further supports timeliness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Nick Lavellee is attributed to the BBC, a reputable broadcaster. Although the exact BBC broadcast date isn’t specified, no earlier source was found that uses this quote, implying it is likely original or recent commentary.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the BBC, well-known for rigorous journalism and generally high reliability. The use of direct expert commentary further strengthens trustworthiness.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about AI-generated images causing concern among traditional artists and environmental and privacy issues are plausible and consistent with ongoing discussions about AI in creative fields. No contradictory information found, though some concerns, such as environmental impact, lack quantification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current and reports on an active trend from early 2025 involving AI-generated toy-like images. It includes a credible quote from a specialist interviewed by a reliable broadcaster. The concerns raised align with recognised debates on AI’s impact on creativity, environment, and privacy, supporting the story’s plausibility and trustworthiness.
