When AI Tries to Make You Look Better—and Misses the Mark by 600 Photos

In today’s world, AI promises to make life better, easier, and, most importantly, to make us better—better at work, better-looking, better in all the ways we didn’t even know we needed improvement... Or so the story goes.

While scrolling LinkedIn, I kept seeing an ad for realistic AI-generated headshots. I scrolled past it each time, trying not to give it much thought. But over time, curiosity crept in. I told myself I was strong enough to resist, but AI had found my pain point. It knew. After all, I’ve been unhappy with my pics... Well, since grade school. There was no way I’d be falling for it, though. I mean, me, a sales guy, savvy enough to see past gimmicks. I’d be damned if I let an algorithm push me into a new profile photo.

But AI kept at it. Persistent, relentless, and maybe just a little too insightful. Finally, late last Friday, I caved. Surely, I thought, this will be worth it. With five minutes and a few bucks, I was promised 200 headshots to pick from—images that would make me look like a LinkedIn superstar, effortlessly climbing corporate mountains, exuding charisma and professionalism.

Each prompt felt reassuring, like I was in good hands. I followed every instruction, took headshots from all angles, and uploaded them with anticipation. I was believing... This is going to change everything. Soon, 200 pictures of me—NO A BETTER ME—would be ready, and my LinkedIn profile would be transformed. I paid up and waited.

When I received the link, I eagerly opened it. And then... What I saw wasn’t the dashing, put-together Patrick I’d been hoping for. No, these images were something else entirely. “Is that...me?” I wondered, squinting at a version of myself who looked oddly synthetic. There I was, photoshopped into strange scenes: mountains, cityscapes, seamless backgrounds, all with that unmistakable AI “plastic” look. I looked like an avatar, a stock image, in a business game from the early 2000s.

Clearly, something was off. So, I went back to the drawing board. I contacted the AI help desk, which cheerfully suggested that I try uploading new photos, promising a free “redo.” Newly armed with photo tips from AI, I tried again, hoping this time to nail it.

Round two arrived, and I was... let’s just say, still “starring” in the same AI-produced stock images: me on fake mountains, in fake cities, with the same odd lighting and unfamiliar look. If anything, these new photos were even more surreal than the last. So back to the help desk I went, explaining that I wanted something authentic. And in an earnest attempt to finally make this work, I took fresh photos and uploaded them yet again.

After three rounds of AI-generated glory, I had 600 headshots. Six hundred! I shared them with my family, and my daughters’ laughter was both humbling and, honestly, healing. Their responses drove home the truth: I am not, and will likely never be, a model or an influencer. “Dad, just don’t,” they said. It was a good reality check.

Yep, lesson learned. Sometimes, the real value is sticking to what’s genuine. My headshot may not make me look like I just climbed Everest in a suit, but it’s me. AI was persistent, just like me, but it reminded me of something crucial. I need to keep things honest and true, whether I’m building a business, a brand, or just myself. And maybe that’s the message we all need to hear now and then.

So once again, here I am, back to my regular, unfiltered profile picture, and honestly? It feels like coming home. Turns out, some things AI just can’t fix—like my smile, my laugh lines, or that little glint that says, ‘Yep, that’s really me.’ Sometimes the best version of ourselves isn’t in a polished, AI generated snapshot but in the genuine, imperfect self that shows up every day. So, here’s to AI, ambition, and all the quirky, slightly off-center photos that are 100% us. And hey, if anyone’s looking for an AI headshot of me climbing a mountain in a mysterious blazer, I’ve got about 600 to spare!

#Romelli, #TheRealRomelli, #AIExperiences, #KeepingItReal, #AIAndHumor, #StayAuthentic