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“Create a replica of this image. Don’t change anything” AI trend takes off

People are asking AI to recreate the same image over and over again, with each iteration drifting further and further from the original. 

The results are sometimes amusing, sometimes unsettling. In some cases, the images completely shape-shift into crazy abstract forms. In others, facial features are wildly exaggerated.

One of the most viral images is of actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson replicated a staggering 101 times. 

While the first few iterations closely resembled the original photo, subsequent versions saw Johnson’s features morph and distort, eventually becoming totally abstract. 

So what’s going on under the hood? It’s primarily a result of how AI models are trained and how they encode and reconstruct images. 

When an AI is asked to recreate an image, it doesn’t simply copy and paste the original pixels. Instead, it breaks the image down into a complex set of features and patterns, which it then tries to reassemble based on its understanding of what the image should look like.

However, this process is inherently imperfect and introduces small errors or deviations each time. As the image is repeatedly fed back into the AI, these deviations compound, leading to increasingly distorted or unexpected results. 

It’s a bit like playing a visual game of “telephone” or “whispers,” where each message you whisper to the next person introduces new features.

However, AI’s aberrations may also reveal something about the biases and assumptions baked into these models. For example, some images seem to exaggerate facial features or create a warmer, more orange-tinted color palette. 

Users also noticed that eyebrows become highly exaggerated – almost painted on in the style of social media filters. As for the orange tint, some speculate that warmer tints are preferred in photography and thus are more common in the training data. 

Really, though, we have no idea what’s happening inside the immense “black box” that is today’s largest frontier models. 

But in the meantime, social media users seem to be having plenty of fun with the surreal, often disturbing results of repeated recursive AI image generation. 

Trends involving AI, like we recently saw with AI action figures, have recently taken off on social media, with thousands of people getting involved across X, Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram. 

One quipped, “I drained the ocean replicating my image 100 times.” Not to be a buzzkill, but it’s a good point. 

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Trump’s AI-generated papal portrait sparks controversy and debate

President Donald Trump has once again found himself at the center of a social media drama after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope.

The image, first appearing on Truth Social, depicts Trump in full papal regalia, complete with a white cassock, mitre, and large crucifix. It later appeared on official White House accounts.

As you’d imagine, the post has drawn a mix of criticism – mostly amusement, disrespect, and confusion. One X commenter said, “Please take this down. Many Catholics, myself included, find this as a great disrespect to the past and future leader of our church.”

Others can’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. But love it or hate it, you’ve got to admit – the image has got people talking.

Pope Francis passed away recently, and Trump already triggered backlash by stating, “I’d like to be Pope” before suggesting that a “very good” cardinal from New York could be a potential candidate.

Trump’s divisive nature needs little introduction. Where he goes, unpredictability follows, having already drawn criticism for messing with his phone and chewing gum at the Pope’s funeral.

The White House has not yet commented on the intent behind the AI-generated image.

Trump was raised Presbyterian but now identifies as a non-denominational Christian, and has a complex relationship with the Christian faith community given some of his behaviors, convictions, and allegations. 

While he’s enjoyed strong support from conservative evangelical voters, his grasp of Christian doctrine has often been called into question.

Of course, this isn’t the first time AI has dipped into the world of religion. Last year in Germany, an AI-powered avatar delivered a sermon to a packed house at St. Paul’s church. A computer-generated preacher took to the pulpit and waxed poetic about everything from overcoming fear to trusting in Jesus, all while sporting a rather unsettling, unchanging expression.

Back in 2023, an AI-generated image of Pope Francis himself wearing a trendy Balenciaga puffer jacket made the rounds on social media. AI deep fakes have since become far more realistic.

For now, however, the focus remains on the upcoming papal conclave and the future direction of the Catholic Church in the post-Francis era. 

As the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics await white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, Trump’s digital dalliance is not likely to improve his image with many. 

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New Skechers AI Store Assistant Rates Outfit and Suggests What to Buy

Skechers just launched Luna, an AI-powered in-store assistant that chats with shoppers, gives style advice, and learns what you like, all while quietly collecting data about your preferences.

Debuting at Skechers’ new flagship store in Singapore’s tech-forward Punggol Coast Mall, Luna is more than a novelty. It’s part of a broader shift toward “phygital” retail, where physical and digital experiences blur into a single, data-rich shopping journey.

About Luna

  • AI Stylist in-store: Luna uses speech-to-speech AI to suggest shoes and outfits based on what you’re wearing or browsing.
  • Always-on experience: Shoppers can continue the chat later on Telegram, making the assistant portable beyond the store.
  • Real-time personalization: Luna adapts its recommendations using live data, bridging AI tech with human-like engagement.

What Skechers says

“With Luna, we’re enhancing the retail journey with a unique, social, and interactive experience,” said Irene Lee, Senior GM at Skechers Singapore. “It’s part of our DNA to connect with customers through innovation.”

This isn’t just about selling shoes. Luna is a data funnel, every conversation helps Skechers refine its inventory, marketing, and design decisions. As Manolis Perrakis of We Are Social Singapore put it: “Agentic AI is the backbone of future consumer-facing systems.”

Shoppers’ advantage:

You’re not just talking to a kiosk, you’re contributing to a feedback loop. With every chat, AI learns your taste and nudges you toward certain products. It’s convenient, yes, but also quietly powerful and potentially invasive.

Privacy alert:

As conversations shift to messaging apps like Telegram, where interactions feel more private, users may not realize how much they’re sharing or how that data will be used.

The challenge

Can Skechers scale this slick AI setup across older stores with less tech infrastructure? And can they maintain human warmth in a system that automates personal touch?

Skechers’ Luna is part chatbot, part personal stylist, and part silent observer. It’s a glimpse into retail’s AI-powered future, where shopping is seamless, smart, and just a little bit surveilled.

Would you take fashion advice from a machine that’s watching you? Skechers is betting you will.

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This AI Startup Is Making an Anime Series and Giving Away $1 Million to Creators

Morphic, an AI startup, is diving headfirst into anime and it’s not coming quietly. The company is launching DQN, its first original series, and backing it up with a $1 million creator fund to power the next generation of global storytellers.

Founded in 2024 by Jaynti Kanani, the former CEO of blockchain giant Polygon, Morphic is building a next-gen production studio that fuses AI tools with high-end storytelling. With offices in San Jose, New York, Dubai, and Bangalore, the company is now expanding into entertainment, starting with anime.

Their debut project, DQN, is created by Kushagra Kushwaha, a Tokyo-based Indian anime filmmaker whose credits include JoJo’s Stone Ocean (Netflix) and Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest (Amazon, Apple, Crunchyroll, Roku).

About DQN

Set in a gritty cyberpunk future ruled by decentralized networks and AI overlords, DQN follows 12 strangers locked in a deadly race to unlock a hidden vault, one with the power to “rewrite the rules of power.” The series will blend traditional anime storytelling with AI-powered production tools to accelerate development and reach global audiences faster.

  • AI-Powered Production: DQN leverages Morphic’s proprietary AI tech to enhance animation workflows and storytelling speed.
  • $1M Creator Fund: Morphic will invest in up-and-coming talent worldwide to develop new anime, live-action films, games, comics, and manga.
  • Global Reach: The fund is open to creators of all backgrounds, with a focus on untapped markets and underrepresented voices.

Creator’s words

“Kush is an incredibly gifted filmmaker with a deep understanding of anime as an art form,” said Kanani. “We’re proud to make DQN our first series and launch our creator’s fund to support bold, original voices.”

Kushwaha added, “I’m passionate about using cutting-edge tech to bring stories like DQN to life for global audiences. With Morphic, we’re not just telling stories, we’re changing how they’re made.”

The advantage

The anime industry is notoriously difficult to break into. With Morphic’s tech and funding, indie filmmakers now have a chance to scale their visions without traditional studio barriers. Faster production, global distribution, and creative autonomy, all backed by AI.

Morphic isn’t just making content, it’s building a new pipeline for storytelling powered by AI. With DQN and a $1 million fund, the studio is betting on a future where creators have the tools, support, and freedom to lead the next era of anime.

Could AI be anime’s next big evolution? Morphic is betting on it.

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Ferrari Just Launched an AI App That Lets Fans Experience F1 Like Never Before

Scuderia Ferrari HP and IBM just launched a next-gen mobile app powered by AI and it could redefine how 400 million Tifosi experience Formula 1, on and off race weekends.

Debuting during the Miami Grand Prix, the reimagined Scuderia Ferrari app is Ferrari’s boldest digital move yet. Powered by IBM’s watsonx AI platform, it transforms raw race data into instant post-race summaries, strategy breakdowns, and interactive features tailored to each fan.

The features

  • AI-Generated Race Recaps within hours of the checkered flag
  • Post-Race Insights with telemetry visualizations, tire strategy, and driver reflections
  • Interactive Fan Engagement including polls, direct-to-team messages, and historic race highlights
  • Italian Language Support for the first time
  • Personalized Fan Profiles that evolve with user behavior

What Ferrari says

“This app is about bringing all our fans closer to the heart of the racing world,” said Lorenzo Giorgetti, Ferrari’s Chief Racing Revenue Officer. “It’s the beginning of a new dimension of the Ferrari experience.”

The IBM angle

“This is a new blueprint for digital fan engagement,” said IBM’s Jonathan Adashek. The tech giant is applying enterprise-grade AI to build a smarter, more immersive app, the same tools it uses with clients across industries.

Coming soon

Throughout 2025, Ferrari will roll out more features:

  • 3D virtual tours
  • E-commerce integration
  • Gamified fan experiences
  • Expanded content from Ferrari’s Hypercar, GT, and Driver Academy programs

This isn’t just an app, it’s Ferrari’s bet on the future of fandom. With IBM’s AI, Scuderia is turning racing into a 24/7 interactive experience where every fan becomes part of the story.

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AI Influencers Are Winning Brand Deals, Is This the End of Human Influence?

The AI influencers are booming in 2025, racking up millions of followers, securing luxury brand deals, and outpacing many humans on engagement. But emotional trust and authenticity still tip the scales toward human creators.

AI-generated influencers like Lil Miquela, Shudu, and Noonoo Uri are rewriting the rules of influencer marketing. Using generative AI, 3D design, and machine learning, brands can now deploy hyper-realistic avatars to promote products without the drama, delays, or day rates.

Why it matters:

  • Engagement edge: AI influencers can achieve up to 3% engagement, higher than many human creators.
  • 24/7 output: They never sleep, skip deadlines, or go off-brand.
  • Cost savings: No travel, no hotels, no reshoots. Long-term, they’re cheaper.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Miquela (@lilmiquela)

The catch

People still trust people.

71% of consumers say they trust human influencers more than AI ones, according to Nielsen. Real stories, vulnerability, and lived experiences can’t be faked, not even by the most lifelike avatars.

  • Gen Z and Gen Alpha are most open to AI influencers, especially in fashion, gaming, and tech.
  • Some users interact with virtual influencers without realizing they’re fake.
  • Ethical concerns include lack of transparency, unrealistic beauty standards, and potential job displacement.

The hybrid future

Brands are experimenting with human-AI hybrids; real influencers using digital twins to scale content and global reach. Fashion, gaming, and music are early adopters of this dual-identity strategy.

AI influencers won’t replace humans. But they’re not going away either.

The smartest brands in 2025 are doing both; mixing the consistency and scalability of AI with the empathy and credibility of real creators.

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