OpenAI's ChatGPT continues to demonstrate remarkable versatility, with users finding increasingly creative ways to utilize the AI platform. From generating personalized action figures to running on decade-old iPhones, the boundaries of ChatGPT's applications are being stretched in both whimsical and practical directions, raising questions about AI resource consumption and technological accessibility.
The Action Figure Trend
ChatGPT 4o's native image generation capabilities have sparked a new social media trend: creating personalized action figures. Users are uploading photos of themselves and requesting the AI to transform them into realistic-looking action figures complete with packaging. The results are impressively detailed, featuring accessories that represent the individual's interests and even optional head attachments. The quality of these generated images is so high that tutorials have already emerged on platforms like YouTube, further accelerating the trend's popularity.
ChatGPT 4o features: Native image generation, contextual memory, chat history
Environmental Concerns of AI Meme Culture
While creating AI-generated action figures might seem like harmless fun, there are growing concerns about the environmental impact of these viral AI trends. According to a Queens University Library report, AI models consume significant amounts of water and emit substantial carbon during their production, training, operation, and maintenance. A Cornell University study specifically highlighted that training the GPT-3 language model in Microsoft's data centers could directly evaporate 700,000 liters of clean freshwater. As these AI image trends spread rapidly across social media, they potentially contribute to increased resource consumption.
Environmental impact: Training GPT-3 reportedly evaporates 700,000 liters of clean freshwater
Practical Applications vs. Entertainment
The surge in using advanced AI primarily for creating memes and trend images raises questions about whether users are missing the true potential of these powerful tools. With artificial general intelligence potentially arriving as soon as next year, there's a disconnect between AI's capabilities and how consumers are utilizing them. Beyond generating amusing images, platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and upcoming services like Apple Intelligence and Alexa+ offer practical tools for improving everyday tasks such as writing, creating outlines, polishing presentations, and summarizing lengthy content.
Breaking Age Barriers: ChatGPT on Legacy Devices
In a remarkable demonstration of technological ingenuity, a 17-year-old developer has created ChatGPT for Legacy iOS, enabling the AI chatbot to run on devices as old as the iPhone 3GS from 2009—a phone that predates the very concept of modern AI. This client app connects to OpenAI's API and supports most features available in the official app, including contextual memory, chat history, and even image analysis and generation capabilities.
Expanding Accessibility Through Innovation
The legacy iOS app represents more than just a proof of concept—it potentially extends the lifespan and utility of older devices that would otherwise be rendered obsolete. While the official ChatGPT app only supports iPhones running iOS 17 or later, this third-party solution works on iOS 6 and above. However, users face certain hurdles: the app isn't available through the App Store, requiring device jailbreaking and a personal ChatGPT API key from OpenAI's website.
ChatGPT for Legacy iOS requirements: iOS 6 or later, jailbroken device, personal ChatGPT API key
Balancing Innovation with Responsibility
As ChatGPT's applications continue to expand in both frivolous and practical directions, the AI community faces important questions about responsible usage. The environmental impact of generating countless meme images must be weighed against the benefits of extending technology's reach to older devices. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged the strain these viral trends place on their systems, suggesting that the company is monitoring how these usage patterns affect their infrastructure and resources.
ChatGPT Plus subscription cost: Approximately USD $20 / GBP £16 / AUD $30 per month
The Future of AI Interaction
The contrasting applications of ChatGPT—from creating whimsical action figures to breathing new life into decade-old technology—highlight the versatility of modern AI systems. As these tools become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, finding the balance between entertainment value and practical utility will be crucial. Whether users are generating personalized collectibles or extending the functionality of legacy devices, ChatGPT's expanding reach demonstrates how AI is becoming accessible across different use cases and technological generations.