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Memes have been part of internet culture since its early days — those born in the 90s might remember the dancing baby, dancing hamsters, and “You’re the man now, dog,” among others.
The rise of generative AI, especially since OpenAI’s ChatGPT was introduced nearly a year ago, has given birth to a new kind of meme created with AI art tools. Over the past few months, I’ve noticed four notable trends, some emerging as recently as this past week.
Why does this matter? Aside from the rapid adoption of generative AI technology for humor and entertainment — which will likely make AI tools and apps even more familiar to the public, possibly leading to a stronger demand for such tools in the workplace — there’s another significant reason to consider. This trend mirrors the BYOD (“bring your own device”) movement that swept businesses in the late 2000s and early 2010s, straining many IT departments as the iPhone became indispensable.
Moreover, various organizations and brands have leveraged memes to promote themselves online, with mixed success. Whether celebrated or controversial, these efforts prove that generative AI memes are here to stay and will likely increase in volume, surpassing traditional memes soon. For brands aiming to stay relevant and benefit from these trends, here are some of the latest examples, along with their potential benefits and risks.
1. ‘Make it more’ with ChatGPT and DALL-E 3
The first AI meme that caught my attention on Instagram involves using ChatGPT with its built-in DALL-E 3 image generation. A user named Peter Attia shared a series of screenshots detailing his conversation with ChatGPT to create an image of an “adorable bunny.” Attia repeatedly asked the AI to “make it happier,” resulting in a progressively abstract and fractal-like image that supposedly represented ultimate happiness.
This progression was both amusing and thought-provoking, highlighting the challenges AI faces in interpreting human emotions visually. The “make it more” trend has since evolved, with users asking ChatGPT to create maximalist versions of various concepts like “spicier” or “more smug.” This trend shows no signs of fading.
2. Turning adult/NSFW/controversial phenomena into a Disney/Pixar movie
This meme format involves creating Disney/Pixar-style posters and scenes depicting adult or controversial figures and topics, providing stark contrast between the animation’s childlike style and the adult content. This juxtaposition has gained traction but has also seen limitations, with platforms like Microsoft’s Bing Image Creator halting its use.
3. Rendering iconic children’s cartoon/gaming characters in urban, quasi-racist style
Recently, a wave of memes has depicted famous characters like Peter Griffin or Mario wearing urban fashion styles and accessories, often paired with captions that mimic African American vernacular English (AAVE). While these memes are mostly intended for fun, they can be uncomfortable and potentially offensive, reminiscent of historic racist caricatures. Brands should approach this trend with caution.
4. Adding motion to static memes
Generative AI video tools now allow creators to animate static memes from the past, bringing them to life with eerie yet entertaining results. This trend is likely among the safer options for brands looking to engage with AI-generated content.
Final thoughts
The influence of AI is growing, and as AI-generated imagery becomes more prevalent on platforms like Google Search, the web is heading towards a future dominated by AI-created content. While this raises questions about quality and authenticity, it also opens doors to fascinating new artworks and creative possibilities. As with any technology, the outcome depends on how people choose to use it — for better or worse, and when it comes to art, subjectivity plays a significant role.