For years, there's been a market for creating the illusion of wealth, whether through purchasing knock-off designer products or renting private jet sets just for photos. Today, people are turning to artificial intelligence to help them craft images of themselves enjoying luxury and leisure. However, instead of seeking social media fame, many pursue this as a personal escape or an attempt to envision a better life.
Tim Wijaya, an app developer, shared his findings on X after a consulting stint with OpenAI. He explored how Indonesians engage with ChatGPT and discovered several Facebook groups — some boasting as many as 30,000 members — where users share AI-generated images depicting themselves in luxurious scenarios, such as standing beside Lamborghinis or shopping at high-end stores like Gucci. According to Wijaya, many participants come from middle-to-lower income backgrounds, earning less than $400 monthly and residing in smaller cities. “It’s both sad and fascinating that using AI has become a form of escapism, allowing people to experience lives they may never have,” he noted.
Similarly, Laurent Del Rey, a product designer at Meta’s Superintelligence lab, introduced a side project named Endless Summer. This social media app offers users the chance to create “fake vacation photos” for when they’re feeling burnt out. Del Rey revealed his project on X.
The trend has spurred a wave of AI manifestation apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Apps like "Manifest AI Coach: Dreams Made" claim to aid visualization and goal manifestation with AI-generated "vision backgrounds." Other apps, such as Manifestar AI and ManifestMe, let users create tailored visuals matching their manifestation goals and energy. There’s also "Manifest AI: Bye Broke Brain" claiming to "renew your brain in seconds" and "Manifest AI: Affirmations" offering AI-crafted daily affirmations.