Artificial intelligence (AI) is the newest trend in internet profile photo creation; say goodbye to filters and Photoshop.
On TikTok, a video went viral over the summer. “Using this trend to get a new LinkedIn headshot” was the caption.
In the brief video, a young woman presents both her authentic appearance and the polished headshot images she generated with the help of the AI-powered app Remini. The video has now received 52.3 million views, and countless additional ones like it from other TikTokers have also received a lot of views.
Remini and rival apps like Try It On AI and AI Suit Up make slick profile photographs that mimic those of professional photographers using AI-based algorithms.
The effects are somewhat subjective; some people think the pictures look fake, while others think they’re realistic.
However, this trend is very much centered on LinkedIn and other job-hunting platforms, unlike prior online picture alteration trends, such as radically altering your hair or eye color.
The affordability of AI services is one of their draws for certain people.
While AI headshots “are obviously generated,” says Australian digital marketer Divya Shishodia, “some people might not have the budget to go and get a professional headshot taken.”
Remini and the other service providers typically provide free samples that last a few days, although hiring a professional photographer might cost more than £100.
“I’m not saying they’re the most realistic, but for the amount of time and effort you have to put in… the output is worth it,” adds Shishodia. She continues by pointing out that it might be really challenging to take a nice profile shot on your own.
“You need lighting, angles, and are attempting to prevent shadows… It can only be done by real photographers.
Michelle Genobisa, 26, from Aalborg, Denmark, is on board with the AI-generated profile photographs because they are inexpensive or free.
“I quite often change my looks, like my hair colour… so it was an easy way to collect some pictures with the effect of a professional photoshoot,” she explains. “To get that kind of photo taken, professionally, it’s very expensive.”
Others, like Australian actor Molly McCrann, 25, are less thrilled by the technology. “I just think it looks so fake, you can tell that it looks heavily edited, or it looks like AI,” she continues.
