You’ve likely seen the trend on TikTok or Instagram: your friends, family, and favorite influencers sharing yearbook photos from the ’90s. But here’s the twist – those photos might not be what they seem. They are often AI-generated images that capture the essence of a ’90s yearbook photo. The uncanny-valley yearbook photos have taken the internet by storm, and you can join in on the fun. One of the most popular tools to create these retro-inspired photos is the EPIK – AI Photo Editor.
Why the ’90s Yearbook Photo Trend?
The trend of recreating ’90s yearbook photos has captured the imagination of social media users. It allows you to transform a modern-day selfie into a nostalgic high school portrait using the magic of artificial intelligence. These AI-generated photos often feature iconic ’90s styles, like cheerleader or basketball star outfits and the classic cloudy blue-gray backdrop commonly used in yearbook photography.
When did the ’90s AI yearbook trend begin? According to Google Trends, the trend started to gain traction in late September 2023. Early adopters on Instagram posted both their original photos and the AI-generated versions, creating interactive slideshows and inviting their followers to comment on the results. The trend quickly spread to platforms like TikTok and Twitter.
How to Create Your Own AI Yearbook Photo
To create your own AI yearbook photo, you can use the EPIK – AI Photo Editor. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Download the EPIK – AI Photo Editor from either the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
- Open the app and tap on the “AI Yearbook” option on the main screen.
- Tap “Continue,” and then select “Upload 8–12 selfies.” Grant the app permission to access your camera roll, but for added security, only provide access to the specific 8 to 12 selfies you wish to upload.
- Once you’ve chosen your photos, indicate your gender and select your preferred payment option. Please note that the AI Yearbook feature is not free. You can opt for the $5.99 option to receive your yearbook photos within 24 hours, or the $9.99 option for delivery within two hours.
- After selecting your payment option, click “Create Yearbook Images” to initiate the process.
Is the ’90s AI Yearbook Trend Safe?
It’s understandable to have concerns about sharing your selfies with EPIK, but the app’s data usage is in line with many other applications. For instance, it uses identifiers to track your activity across various apps and websites, which is a common practice. If you disable tracking on your device, this won’t be an issue. The app may also request location permissions and collect device information, which is consistent with the way other apps function.
The key question revolves around the images of your face. According to SNOW Corporation, the parent company of EPIK, the app does not retain personal information, including the selfies used to generate AI images. However, it’s important to distinguish between personal information and other data.
The privacy policy mentions the use of facial recognition technology for specific app functions. While this technology is not employed to identify individual faces, the data generated might be sent through third parties and temporarily stored. SNOW Corporation commits to deleting this data once it serves its intended purpose or within three years.
In conclusion, it appears that EPIK and SNOW don’t store your photos, but they may retain tracking information, device details, location data, and facial recognition data, much like many other apps. While not ideal, it seems safe to give it a try. Of course, the ethical implications of AI image generators are a separate discussion.
Trying the AI Yearbook Trend for Free
If you’d like to experience the AI yearbook trend without cost, you can use a website called ArtGuru, which is an AI art generator capable of creating personalized AI avatars. While it doesn’t offer an AI yearbook feature specifically, it’s a great place to start.
- Navigate to the ArtGuru website and create an account.
- Select “Face Swap Online” from the top left bar.
- Choose the “Face Swap” tab and click “Add face” (please note that you can only add one image, so ensure it’s of high quality with your face clearly visible).
- Browse the gallery on the right side of the screen, pick the photo that best represents the AI yearbook trend.
- Click “Generate,” and you’ll see a blue progress bar. After a short wait, hit “Download,” and the image will be saved in your library or camera roll. For a higher quality result, click on the ‘HD’ icon on the image.
The ’90s AI yearbook trend allows you to relive your old school memories in a unique and fun way. With the help of AI, you can transform your modern-day selfies into nostalgic ’90s yearbook photos. Whether you choose to use the EPIK app or explore the free options, the trend lets you experience the magic of AI image generation and share these retro-inspired photos with friends and followers on social media.
