An enterprising film editor is capitalizing on the popularity of Barbie movies by giving celebrities and politicians a Mattel-inspired makeover using artificial intelligence (AI). Freelancer Duncan Thomsen, 53, came up with the idea to transform famous figures into Barbie and Ken dolls following the excitement surrounding Greta Gerwig’s live-action Barbie movie. Thomsen used advanced AI software called Midjourney, which generated the dolls’ images by referencing billions of online pictures.
The process of creating these AI-generated dolls was time-consuming as the software required specific commands and descriptions to accurately represent the celebrities. However, Thomsen’s effort paid off as he successfully created a range of celebrity doll look-alikes. Among them, US President Joe Biden was reimagined as Ken, complete with a signature pink outfit, six-pack abs, and a pink car. Thomsen also gave the Barbie treatment to former President Barack Obama.
Other notable figures included former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was depicted in a pink pantsuit, and a Barbie version of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. Thomsen aimed to capture each person’s unique essence while incorporating the distinct features of Barbie. Additionally, he used digital software to transform real-world buildings into Barbie Dreamhouses. Thomsen described the process as a fun way to add a touch of pink and “Barbie up” the world.
While Thomsen’s project is entertaining, it is worth noting the potential dangers of AI-generated images. In the past, hyperrealistic AI technology has been misused to create fake images, including ones depicting President Trump being arrested or a false Pentagon explosion, leading to brief stock market volatility. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution and skepticism when encountering AI-generated content.