AI action figures: Brands jump on latest AI craze sweeping social media

Posted on 10th April 2025

The latest creative AI craze to sweep social media is turning a photo of yourself into an action figure – complete with packaging and accessories – using ChatGPT's recently released image generation feature.

There are lots of examples in this Shooglebox – including different prompts you could try to make your own.

TikTok, Instagram and X are awash with the results as people use the OpenAI tool to transform photos into all kinds of different action figures, Mattel-style Barbie dolls, Funko Pop vinyls and other collectable toys.

Others are creating action figures of favourite celebs and sports people like Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James or the likes of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as well as friends and colleagues at work.

Luxegen, Royal Mail, Aldi, Lidl and Primark are among brands who've been quick to join in with the trend. Luxegen posted a series of action figures of some of their team with their typical outfits and accessories.

Royal Mail made a little postman action figure which people are saying is "so cute" and wishing they could buy one.

Aldi turned their iconic Kevin the Carrot into an action figure – which people are suggesting could be the "best one yet".

Lidl came up with three stereotypical shoppers – Beth the bakery bestie, Derek the deal hunter and side-tracked Sally in the Middle of Lidl. People have commented on their posts to say which of these shoppers they are.

Primark turned TikTok-famous colleague @hevnotheather2015 into an action figure.

How to make your own action figure:

1. Open the ChatGPT app or web page

2. If you're using ChatGPT Plus, choose the GPT-4o model. Free-tier users can use the image generation tool but are restricted to three times a day

3. Click the three dots in the prompt window and select Create image

4. Add your photo and write a prompt along the lines of: "Use this photo to create an image of an action figure in collectible toy packaging. The figure is displayed in a transparent plastic casing on the left of the packaging. To the right of the figure are miniature accessories in their own compartments". Include details of things like the specific accessories, the style and colours to use in the packaging, and the name of your product.

We’ve been tracking all the excitement – and controversy – around the launch of the new ChatGPT image generation tool for subscribers to our Buzz service. The action figures craze follows on from the viral Studio Ghibli trend that exploded within 24 hours of the tool’s launch – and ignited a heated debate about ethics and copyright. On the one side groups like Artists Against Generative AI were calling it "AI slop" and on the other AI fans saying it was "so energising to see people riff off each other’s creativity".

Buzz from Shooglebox helps major UK brands spot, understand and quickly respond to emerging TikTok trends, and tap into what their customers are seeing, saying and doing on social media.