When AI interfaces became publicly accessible, I began receiving ads from apps like Gencraft promoting image generation of 'dream women'—primarily beautiful, thin, and white females. These AI-generated images, reflecting persistent gender stereotypes, have drawn criticism from feminists who hoped AI would transform outdated gender norms. Instead, technology and culture continue to reflect traditional perspectives, manifesting in AI applications like virtual girlfriends, which cater to male fantasies without physical or emotional needs. In response, artists Ann Hirsch and Maya Man launched "Ugly Bitches, " an AI-driven project critiquing beauty standards. They used dolls to train a generative adversarial network, intentionally creating imperfect, bizarre representations, contrasting the polished images often seen online.

Their work critiques the concept of “aspirational femininity” and illustrates how beauty stereotypes persist, despite being challenged in feminist art for decades. Similarly, Arvida Byström used a "nudify" app for her project “In the Clouds, ” showing how AI perceives and reconstructs human bodies in modeled pornographic imagery. Her work disrupts conventional beauty norms by interacting with AI, revealing its underlying biases. Byström's exploration underscores the ongoing cultural fixation with a certain standard of beauty, despite shifting dynamics in who sets these ideals—from modeling agencies to influencers. However, critics point out that even seemingly feminist projects can inadvertently maintain status quo beauty standards, particularly when they reflect limited perspectives predominantly centered on whiteness and specific body types. Ultimately, these artistic endeavors invite viewers to question and confront entrenched societal norms rather than inadvertently supporting them.