Just a few months after the trend of the ‘AI photoshoot’, K-pop idols and Gen Z creators on TikTok are now exploring a new viral filter known as the ‘AI yearbook’. This feature, harking back to the aesthetics of the 1990s, allows users to visualize themselves as high school students from that decade. The AI yearbook filter is available on an app named Epik, a photo editing app owned by a larger South Korean editing app named Snow, which was responsible for the earlier ‘AI photoshoot’ viral trend.
To create your own ’90s AI yearbook, users need to first download Epik from either the iOS or Google Play Store. Though the app itself is free, to use, the AI yearbook filter costs between US$5.99 (AU$9.30) to US$9.99 (AU$15.50). After downloading and opening the Epik app, Instagram should be visited additionally to search for Epik’s account dedicated to creators. A link on the account’s bio redirects users back to Epik, from where one can find the banner: “90s Throwback: Create 60 Versions Of You” on the homepage. By clicking ‘Try AI yearbook’ and then ‘try now’, the journey to creating your synthetic yearbook image begins.
For ideal outcomes, users are advised to upload 8–12 well-lit selfies in varied backgrounds and facial expressions. Photos with masks, sunglasses, group photos, extreme close-ups, heavy makeup, black-and-white, or of children are not recommended. After all, the photos are uploaded, permissions should be given to access your phone’s photo library. Moreover, User will also need to pay to have the AI yearbook photos produced.
Once the payment is done, the next step will be to wait for the photos to be generated. The generated AI yearbook photos are then readily shared across social media platforms like TikTok, where they are being received with a combination of fascination and amusement. Despite the trend being generally accepted, some users have observed some inaccuracies and amusing outcomes. The AI yearbook filter trend is a fun and engaging feature despite its occasional inaccuracies.
