AI is changing beauty standards, experts: Perfect images can influence young people

Images created by artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly present in advertising and social networks, which has raised concerns about the impact they may have on the way people, especially young people, perceive their appearance.

Experts warn that AI could create near-perfect-looking images that don't actually exist. This could reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and affect how young people view their bodies.

Mia Perumal, 19, who has recovered from an eating disorder, says that since the age of 12 she was exposed to content on social media that negatively affected her relationship with her body.

Today, she says she sees more and more AI-generated images showing "perfect" bodies, raising concerns that these models could particularly influence young girls.

The concern is also shared by parents, who fear that children may begin to compare themselves to figures that do not represent reality.

Psychology expert Phillippa Diedrichs explains that comparing ourselves to others is a human behavior, but the problem becomes more serious when the standard we compare ourselves to is practically unattainable.

According to her, artificial intelligence risks reproducing a very narrow version of beauty, leaving out the real diversity of people, from body shapes and sizes, to skin color and different facial features.

However, experts emphasize that the technology should not be seen only as a threat. AI can also be used in a positive way, if it serves to present a wider range of people, with different bodies, features and appearances.

Another problem is that AI-generated images are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from real photos. Skin texture, eyes, hair, or the absence of certain imperfections can still give off signals, but the technology is advancing rapidly.

Experts point out that the psychological impact can be present even when a person knows that the image is artificially created. The constant exposure to perfect images can affect how a person evaluates their body and appearance.

AI is also being used in the fashion industry, where some companies have experimented with virtual models and “digital twins.” However, various studies have shown that consumers can react negatively when they learn that the person depicted in an advertisement is not real and in many cases prefer to see real people.

Ultimately, experts suggest that users not only observe what they see on social networks, but also how they feel after consuming certain content.

If an image makes you feel like you're not pretty enough or that there's something wrong with your appearance, it may be time to distance yourself from that content.