AI selfie generators make for cool trends—but raise a couple concerns, too
The MyHeritage AI Time Machine is transporting users back in time to see what they would look like in different historical periods. To get images that transform them into a member of a previous generation, all users have to do is upload 25 or more photos of themselves to the MyHeritage site in order to give the AI technology a good representation of their face structure and body proportions and they’ll receive an email notifying them that their AI selfies are ready. While MyHeritage (most known as a genealogy platform) does charge $15 to receive these photos, users are given access to hundreds of downloadable images. Gen Z and Millennial girls especially are eagerly sharing their AI portraits across social media platforms and using them to celebrate their beauty. On TikTok, their photos are shown with the trending audio that says, “How I love being a woman!”
As fun as it is, another trending artificial intelligence image generator is raising some red flags about the tech. Lensa, an “editing app, created by Prisma AI, morphs selfies into what the company refers to as ‘magic avatars,’” also comes at a cost, charging $3.99 for 50 images, but its popularity has skyrocketed and the app “currently sits at the number one spot on the App Store’s Photo and Video chart.” While even celebs and influencers have hopped on the trend, it’s creating some controversial buzz around the fact that the AI tech is stealing content from artists to create the bot. One Twitter thread “by voice artist Jenny Yokobori explained that AI apps creating art, such as Lensa, ‘are predatory and intend to replace artists.’” And their terms and conditions slyly have users agree that their uploaded images can be used by the company for various purposes, raising significant privacy concerns.
This week on TikTok: W Rizz
TikTokers have added “the rizz” to the app’s ever-expanding lexicon. Even though YouTuber Kai Cenat appears to have kicked off its use back in 2021, the slang term has rapidly become mainstream since making its way to TikTok in October and is now a part of both serious relationship discussions and hilarious memes. But what actually is it? All we can say is, Gen Z applies the term to anyone that has a ton of game in the dating scene (think Pete Davidson), and it’s basically an updated version of 2018’s “BDE.”
Pete Davidson’s rizz needs to be studied at Harvard https://t.co/xiO5WTGAoP
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) November 28, 2022
Memes have arisen, as they do, on Twitter and TikTok where creators are using the term in an assortment of ways. For example, one person tweeted, “Pete Davidson’s rizz needs to be studied at Harvard,” and comments like “oh he has unlimited rizz” ensued. Over on TikTok, #Rizz currently has 4B views with many of the top videos showing men using their “rizz” abilities to pick up women, both ironically and seriously. There’s even a dedicated audio already that says “Y’all could say I got W rizz,” which young people use to share what their best rizz is (even if it doesn’t sound like it would be attractive).
But it’s in the comments sections of these videos where the laughs begin. If someone “fumbles” their ability to ask someone out, commenters will write, “this man has zero rizz” or “bro needs a rizz update.” On the other hand, if a video shows someone has pretty good game, commenters will write, “rizz God,” bro has the most pristine rizz,” “bro just rizzed her up,” and the wildly popular “W rizz” marking a win. Other videos on TikTok showcase examples of “rizz” from popular movies, TV shows, and animated characters. But honestly, “rizz” is in the eye of the beholder, which is what’s making it such an engaging trend.
Lizzo introduced 17 activists and people she thinks deserves the spotlight at the PCAs
Lizzo is a favorite of Gen Z and Millennials for many reasons, but her dedication to activism especially resonates with them; YPulse data shows the majority of young people agree that “celebrities have a responsibility to share their views about issues and causes with their followers.” She did just that this week, as she was named People’s Champion at the People’s Choice Awards and used her acceptance speech time to shine a spotlight on 17 other activists and individuals she thinks deserves recognition, too. The singer and rapper said, “I’m here tonight, because to be an icon isn’t about how long you’ve had your platform. Being an icon is what you do with that platform. And ever since the beginning of my career I’ve used my platform to amplify marginalized voices.”
Videos of Lizzo giving a moment of introduction to each of her own champions went viral across platforms—her own TikTok getting 1.2M likes and more than 22K comments. Tons of users shared that the speech made them cry, while others joined in to repeat Lizzo’s final recognition for Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor, punctuated with the rallying cry “Say her name.” One comment, with 43K likes of its own, spoke to the pride and hope many feel in Lizzo: “Now THAT’S how you take a spotlight and turn it into a lighthouse.”
In Western Europe: Women’s health is becoming an open discussion in the U.K.
2022 has seen a rise in public discussions of women’s health in the U.K. that isn’t being paralleled in North America—and while it’s made a statement on British TV, its influence is reflected in governmental change, and by brands. Popular TV channels Channel 4 and 5 have released documentaries about different experiences women face; whether that’s a painful period, menopause or previously less-known health conditions like endometriosis. Channel 4’s show called in well-known TV presenter Davina McCall to talk about her experience going through menopause, as well as discuss the pre-menopausal signs that can happen years before (sorry Millennials). The show brought on an expected surge of women rushing to get HRT after recognising their symptoms on the show, hoping the hormone replacement will help them regain control of their lives.
It’s sparked discussions online too. Menopause week took place at the start of October, when daytime TV shows on ITV, like Loose Women and This Morning, have brought on doctors to discuss treatment and symptoms, and talk about their own experiences, bringing many to respond on social media with the hashtag #MenopauseWeek to join in the discussion. It hasn’t gone unnoticed; there’s a call for menopause leave in the workplace, and even London’s City Hall has listened. MPs are calling for further aid for women getting support in the workplace to remove the shame of menopause and give them the flexibility they deserve. Brands like Primark have joined the discussion by offering a menopause range, which helps to cool down hot flashes—even going semi-viral on TikTok.
It’s not just menopause though, women’s health overall has been given the limelight with period leave becoming more mainstream thanks to Spain. The discussion is ongoing, with calls for further aid and change to be made with accessibility to essential care still limited for women.
Links we’re passing:
TikTok: These are the top trends, sounds, and creators of the year according to TikTok
This audio from a classic 2000s romcom is the center of multiple trends right now
Celebs: Millennial women are outraged at this viral tweet about Hillary Duff
Politics: Even as a congressman, Gen Z Maxwell Frost can’t find an apartment with his credit score
Olympian basketball player Britney Griner has been released from Russian custody
Movies: The DCU has just cast its first Latinx superhero for Blue Beetle
The first half of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Neflix doc is here—and it’s spilling the tabloid tea
In WE: France is making moves to ban internal flights to favour train travel
England and Wales have introduced a new 24/7 support service for victims of rape
A Brewdog ad has been banned over false claims of a “five-a-day” claim
