The selfie has evolved over time, from the early days of flip phones to smart technology, increasingly accessible on social media feeds, and almost all devices now boasting professional-quality capabilities and in-camera natural filters. Yet, it's almost tragic that with such photographic development regarding one's ability to take and edit selfies (because let's be honest, no one should be posting blurry selfies or poorly lit selfies at this point - they all have those options available now), people still cannot take that ideal selfie. But do they need to? What if images can be generated by AI, giving people the freedom to decide how they want to showcase themselves in the metaverse?

But where this was once the case, the last few years have ushered in a change in what's possible with AI image generators working in tandem with digital photography. Where editing a photo renders a manipulation of an already existing image, now, with one prompt - or suggested image - software can create something entirely new out of thin air. In just a few months, it's gone from slightly creepy to perfected, hyper-realistic images that can compete with what the traditional photographic process achieves for a final product.

So if you're not looking for a selfie and want to stretch the boundaries of what's possible to render by AI and imagery that's otherwise out there, check out Bonza AI photo generator that's doing insane things with AI and imagery.

AI selfies are also appealing since they can be created with perfect detail a billion and one times. One can pick the lighting, the positioning, the background, and a clothing selection that isn't even a part of one's physical closet! These clothing and background options could never exist in a real photograph.

Furthermore, the technology is such that one's face will appear the same across all generated images, forming a digital identity that one day will live in the metaverse. Such uniformity is critical since individuals will use these rendered avatars across various platforms.

Where the AI selfie used to be an actual photograph in generated form, the concept has evolved into digital avatars. However, a digital avatar is not merely a filtered or Photoshopped version of an image; a digital avatar is a digital representation craftable to look however someone wants it to look. With AI avatar creator applications, anyone can create an avatar online that is you without the hassle and limitations of a photoshoot or photographic reality.

An avatar can convey emotions and situations that may be outside the scope of everyday life (you on fire, you as a mermaid, you virtually located wherever you happen to be virtually located). Want a nude version of yourself on top of a mountain? All good for your LinkedIn? AI can render it - with equally great quality.

Much of AI's product comes from a neural network that borrows millions of images and comprehends subtleties of imagery, color, and composition - even the human body - similar to what camera systems do when trying to focus or stabilize an image.

So when AI generates a custom selfie, it's not taking your face and applying a filter based on a collage of other images. It's generating something brand new from scratch - pixel by pixel - based on your prompt and, increasingly over time, derivative images that teach the AI what it needs to remember.

The Uncanny Valley and Realistic Progression

The rise of AI images had, for a time, remained in the "uncanny valley," that strange in-between that renders something nearly human but just off enough. Yet much of that differentiation has been smoothed over since. Thus, while AI chat programs exist, many also come with imaging functions that create pictures which - to the untrained eye - appear entirely authentic.

The most advanced of such programs factor in the varying textures of skin, hair in motion versus static, reflections and shifts in lighting on varying surfaces, even human faces with emotion versus rigid, mechanical reproduction.

But as Artificial Intelligence generates flawless selfies at a higher rate, what does this mean for digital identity? What does it mean for a digital existence where everyone can be - at least on-screen - rendered perfect, or as a perfect copy of someone else - and when everyone can be generated from anyone - what does this say about our perception of people behind a screen?

Yet for some, it's art - a digital collage - or potential exploration of identity that may be too sensitive to process with film and camera. It's not the technology that's bad; it's the usage that needs to be adjusted with social responsibility.

Who knows what will be possible down the road, seeing as technology only gets more advanced. Right now, there are instances where AI creates images instantaneously - avatars on a Zoom call while one is logging into work or in the middle of what would otherwise be an uninterrupted Twitch stream. One day, it may not even matter if something is an image or an AI rendering because the quality and differentiation will be so pixelated and HD-like that people will create AI renderings for their boring, everyday 9-5s and durations.

AI creates the perfect selfie for LinkedIn or Instagram or even one's own camera roll just to have that perfect image for proper professional representation and personal use. One day, it can alter how people legally and ethically perceive themselves online, visually, with such access.

From LinkedIn profile photos to creative projects to the always hard-to-catch angle of our own faces we never quite get when taking pictures of ourselves - AI image generation might be a welcomed replacement for photography. Maybe the best selfie is the one that isn't taken - but created.