From nostalgic Barbie box changes to whimsical Ghibli-style images, OpenAI has once again drawn public notice by riding the tide of viral trends. Making oneself into an action figure is now a new trend that is gaining traction, especially on LinkedIn.

The favourite right now? the fad of “AI Action Figures”. Users are creating toy-like representations of themselves, replete with accessories like computers, books, or coffee cups in a transparent plastic blister pack—ideal props for the standard LinkedIn image. Another version that draws inspiration from popular culture is the “Barbie Box Challenge”, which imitates the packaging of the well-known doll.

Despite having started on LinkedIn, the fad is beginning to spread to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Even still, it hasn’t gone as ubiquitous as the Studio Ghibli-inspired art movement. In addition to dominating Google Search results, that previous fad sparked discussions about copyright, ethics, and the environmental impact of AI-generated art. At least not yet; this toy box period hasn’t sparked as much criticism.

The widespread adoption of ChatGPT is consistent throughout all iterations of the toy craze. For these whimsical works, OpenAI’s text-to-image generator has emerged as the preferred method. The function was so well liked when it originally came out that OpenAI had to limit free users’ access to prevent overtaxing its infrastructure. Even if the action figure phase is less prominent than the Ghibli phenomenon, ChatGPT’s supremacy as the mainstream entrance point for AI innovation is still evident.

But outside of LinkedIn, the movement hasn’t really taken off. Marketers and self-styled thought leaders are the primary users uploading their AI figurines, the majority of which get very little interaction. The absence of celebrity participation has prevented the fad from really taking off, despite attempts by a few big firms, including as Mac Cosmetics and NYX Cosmetics, to join in the fun. “Marjorie Taylor Greene is the closest thing I’ve seen to a ‘famous person’ trying it out. Do what you want with it.

Ultimately, even if the gimmick is entertaining, it’s more plastic than personality—just another ephemeral online moment wrapped in artificial intelligence.