Everyone on Instagram Is Making Their Own AI-Generated Action Figures—Here's How to Make Yours

If you've been seeing a bunch of AI-generated action figure dolls of friends, followers, brands, and experts all over your social feeds, you're not alone. Here's exactly how to create one of your own—for free. Plus, we've included a few helpful tips on how to make yours look even more like you. It's fun, it's free, and it's actually super easy.

How to Make Your AI-Generated Doll
Download the ChatGPT app and sign in
If you don't have an account (I didn't!), it's easy to create one by going to chatgpt.com. You can sign up by logging into your email account or via your phone number, or by adding your email address and creating a password.
Upload a photo of yourself
Once you're logged in, you'll need to upload a photo of yourself into the chat. While this can be a full body image or a cropped headshot, the AI-generated doll is full-size, so uploading a full body pic will result in a more accurate depiction.

If you don't have a full body photo handy (my husband did not), simply tell the AI tool what you want the body to look like.


Input instructions for your AI doll
Next, you have to tell the tool to create your doll by copy and pasting this text next to your photo: "Draw an action figure toy of the person in this photo. The figure should be a full figure and displayed in its original blister pack. She always has (insert objects of your choice here)." Into the parentheses, add any personal touches you'd like. I added my favorite drink, eyeshadow palette, cookie brand, and, of course, REAL SIMPLE magazine, where I work. This is where you should have fun and get creative so that your "starter pack" matches your personality and daily life. You can be as specific as you want: I asked for a pink iPhone case and for my name "Heather Muir" to be pictured at the top of the box.

Once you've submitted your request, the AI tool will take about two to three minutes to create your AI doll, which you can then save and upload wherever you like. Once you see it, you can ask the tool to make changes. But know that you can only do this so many times before it needs a "cooldown" period. I know because this happened to me. After about 30 minutes, it was able to make the changes.

Is it silly? Yes. But I'll admit it was actually really fun, and it looks like this social trend is sticking.