Mini-Me Mania: AI-Powered Doll Trend Raises Eyebrows Alongside Eyeballs

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the latest social media trend has users turning themselves into pocket-sized action figures — and it's gone viral.

From Instagram to TikTok, timelines are filled with people showcasing miniature versions of themselves. These “AI dolls” are crafted using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, which create images based on selfies and detailed prompts.

Users get to pick their accessories, packaging, and even font styles — often mimicking classic toy brands like Barbie. Brands like beauty giant Mario Badescu and even Royal Mail have joined the trend, creating custom AI avatars to engage with audiences. But as the popularity skyrockets, so do concerns.

Critics argue the light-hearted fun masks deeper issues: energy consumption, ethical concerns, and copyright. Professor Gina Neff of Queen Mary University warns of the environmental toll, saying AI data centers use more electricity than 117 countries combined. “Every AI meme kills a tree,” tech editor Lance Ulanoff jokes — though the sentiment rings serious.

There’s also the matter of data privacy, with concerns around how AI models are trained, often on copyrighted content without permission or payment.

The creation process isn’t perfect either. Users report inaccuracies in appearance and frustrating glitches — like incorrect eye colors or distorted packaging. Some feel the effort outweighs the result for what's likely a fleeting online fad.

Still, experts believe AI-powered trends are here to stay. As Jasmine Enberg of eMarketer points out, "Generative AI makes it easier and quicker for people to create and jump on trends" — even if that means AI servers are busy pumping out doll-sized duplicates while the climate cost looms large.

So, is the “AI doll” trend cute creativity or a digital indulgence with a heavy footprint? That’s the big question behind the small figurines lighting up your feed.