ChatGPT 1980s AI Photo Trend Goes Viral on Social Media
2 sources · India
Who reported this
- The Indian Express
- Hindustan Times
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
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Every source for this story reports from India.
A new social media trend is gaining popularity on Instagram and X as users employ ChatGPT to transform modern photographs into retro images from the 1980s. Unlike standard filters, this AI process allows users to recreate their photos by changing hairstyles, clothing, lighting, and settings while preserving their recognizable facial features. The resulting images often mimic the appearance of old family albums, studio portraits, or film photographs characterized by grainy finishes and muted tones.
The trend has seen participation from several prominent Indian figures. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju both shared AI generated portraits on X. Other public figures, including writer Kumar Vishwas and sports journalist Vikrant Gupta, have also joined the trend. Additionally, Star Sports Kannada used the technology to create imagined 1980s versions of cricketers such as Virat Kohli and K L Rahul.
Users can participate by uploading a clear photograph to ChatGPT and providing detailed prompts. These prompts can be tailored for specific looks, such as classic studio portraits, retro street style, 1980s college students, or traditional Indian portraits. The process is designed to be accessible to those without advanced editing skills or Photoshop knowledge.
How each side framed it
- Centre
- The center leaning coverage focused on the viral nature of the trend and the specific public figures participating in it.
- Centre-right
- The center-right leaning coverage framed the trend as a way to recapture the simple charm and nostalgia of a past era while providing a practical guide of prompts.
Sources
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