Artists Resist AI-Generated Doll Images with Their Own Creations Artists and creatives are pushing back against a burgeoning trend where artificial intelligence (AI) generates "starter pack" images of people as dolls—a trend that threatens their livelihoods. Since April, thousands have uploaded photos to create doll images of themselves, despite concerns about environmental harm, data privacy, and the devaluation of genuine creativity. Nick Lavallee, a custom action figure maker for six years, told the BBC he fears his craft may be endangered by the flood of AI-generated images on social media. Selling figures for up to $250 on his Wicked Joyful website and expanding into clothing and a physical store in Manchester, New Hampshire, Nick worries this saturation might reduce commissions and public appreciation for handcrafted work. This sentiment has fueled the #StarterPackNoAI movement, which originated on Instagram in April and quickly spread to X, as artists take a stand against AI-created doll images. Artist Maria Picassó Piquer joined the movement, creating her own starter pack "for fun" and as a statement. She noted AI art often looks similar, while human-created works show remarkable variety and an added layer of humanity through self-portraits. Maria and others are concerned about AI exploiting stolen art to generate images, which could jeopardize intellectual property rights and limit opportunities to attract new clients. Bordeaux-based illustrator Dav le Dessineux reported that some artists have already lost contracts to AI-generated designs. His own starter pack artwork featured just pencil and paper, emphasizing that basic tools suffice for original art despite technological advances.

Italian artist Eli Dibitonto described the process of digitally illustrating his starter pack as "carefree and fun, " stressing that art need not be perfect or flawless. Illustrator and student Evie Joyce highlighted the value of spending hours crafting art that reflects personality and experience, which AI-created works lack. She criticized AI for potentially stealing artistic styles and diminishing art’s personal touch. Back in New Hampshire, Nick Lavallee acknowledges artists’ concerns but believes AI can be a useful tool if harnessed properly, noting many have experimented with it. However, AI expert Henk van Ess, who uses AI in investigative research, dismisses starter pack creations as trivial uses of powerful technology—comparing it to using the Large Hadron Collider to heat up a Pot Noodle. He argues that the focus on such digital "fluff" detracts from AI’s potential to address critical real-world issues like climate change. Despite these challenges, both Nick and Dav remain optimistic about the value of human craftsmanship. Nick points out that musicians and clients appreciate owning his unique artwork, distinguishing it from AI products. Similarly, Dav likens human artisans to cabinetmakers, who continue to be sought after despite mass-produced furniture. Nick, whose mission is to bring joy through his creations, hopes the public grows weary of AI action figures and recognizes the distinctiveness of human-made art over computer-generated images.