AI Generates Images Of What 'Average Person' Looks Like In Each US State And Sparks Outrage

Artificial Intelligence has been tasked with generating various depictions since its inception. 

A recent trend involves requesting AI to envision the appearance of individuals, such as crafting representations of the supposed ideal boyfriend for each U.S. state or predicting the visual characteristics associated with different professions.

shaneco.com/Midjourney

AI has also been employed to generate an interpretation of the average person's appearance based on their U.S. state of residence. 

However, the outcomes of these endeavors have raised concerns and skepticism, as the accuracy and reliability of the AI-generated images are subject to question.

AI draws inspiration from stereotypes, fashion trends, and local traditions when creating images of the "average" person from a specific U.S. state, despite the recognition that the notion of an "average person" is inherently flawed.

Reddit/u/NeutronicTachyon

In a post on the Reddit thread r/midjourney, a Redditor shared AI-generated images representing the "most stereotypical person" in various states, including Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, and Maine. 

The caption likely reflected the prompt given to the AI program, and the results are intriguing, to say the least. Where should we start discussing them?

Starting with Texas, the AI conjures an image of a man sporting classic 'cowboy' attire—a large cowboy hat, a brown shirt tucked into blue jeans, and a sizable belt buckle. 

Reddit/u/NeutronicTachyon

Meanwhile, in California, the AI envisions a character immersed in flower power, featuring long hair swaying in the breeze, oversized sunglasses, and a floral shirt.

Reddit/u/NeutronicTachyon

In Colorado, the AI takes a different turn, placing a woman atop what appears to be a mountain covered in marijuana plants. She's clad in a green hoodie and headband, casually holding what seems to be a smoking joint. 

The depiction raises some eyebrows, considering the question of how many people actually hike up weed-covered mountains for a hit in Colorado, but it adds a unique twist to the AI's interpretations.

Reddit/u/NeutronicTachyon

Next let's head to Florida, where a man with a long white beard stands on a road with long blue shorts, a baggy pink shirt and a sunhat.

Reddit/u/NeutronicTachyon

Transitioning to Oregon, the image features a woman with short greyish-blue hair. 

Reddit/u/NeutronicTachyon

The scene takes a whimsical turn as we venture to Maine, renowned for its lobster. In this representation, our AI character dons a hat adorned with an actual lobster. 

The uniqueness of these depictions raises questions about their alignment with the concept of the "average" person, though personal experiences in Maine may vary.

The AI-generated images, upon being shared online, have elicited a range of reactions. One Reddit user expressed outrage, alleging that the original poster "clearly used unflattering prompts for the red states."