Can you believe the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools? To think a few years ago we thought of AI as a distant dream or the topic of the latest sci-fi novel. And look at AI now.

By 2025, projections are the AI software market will reach $126 billion in revenue. I wonder if those projections are human or AI predictions. Hmm.

Recently, I decided to give AI a whirl on photo touch-up. The results were comical. Perhaps it was the subject but all I can say is I am thrilled the company had a great refund policy.

AI Takes a Shot

The last professional headshot I had taken was a decade ago. Wait. How did all that time go by? Besides additional wrinkles (we won’t discuss), my long hair gave way to a shorter ‘do.

I intended to have a new one taken right about the time the pandemic hit. The nice thing about procrastination, technology marches on.

Self-satisfied

I read a LinkedIn member’s review of a generator of AI headshots. The site produces headshots from selfies you send them. After sending what seemed like a bajillion selfies, I patiently waited for the promised two-hour turnaround.

Then I received the “all done” email. Excitedly clicking on the link, emaciated, ghoul-like creatures assaulted my eyes. I am sorry I didn’t take a screen shot before deleting them. But the site would have a problem with that.

AI Creature Results

The site required a minimum of one half-body pose along with about 20 headshots. I sent only the one because I wanted a headshot for my websites and social media. What I got back was a set of 100-plus “proofs” of half-body shots.

• The tool enhanced certain body parts better than the finest augmentation surgeon. Doesn’t that speak volumes about how it’s programmed?
• The body looked like someone who spent years in a concentration camp.
• In one view, a third arm rested on my left arm and lines scattered around my face on several more.

My expectation was I’d receive results similar to those of a Photoshop expert. However, I wanted it to look like me (wrinkles and all – okay, maybe softened a little bit). But mostly I wanted the background removed. I don’t have the skills for doing that.

The positive LinkedIn review praised the product as “the most realistic” of all the AI tools’ for headshots. Again, perhaps it’s the subject that was the problem. 🙂

Human Touch to the Rescue

My main reason for going the selfie route instead of a professional photo shoot was time. As a caregiver for my 100-year-old mother, time is precious. But after such an epic fail, I searched for alternatives. One with a human touch.

I discovered Headshots.com that offers the following.

• Hand-edited results for individuals or teams
• Background and style options
• 3-business day turnaround

Like the AI-generated photo site, Headshots.com requires you send them a selfie. However, you only need to send them the one you like best (not the 20 or so the AI site required).

The human touch professionals also provide guidance on taking a usable selfie (something I appreciated as I’m not a selfie queen by any means). For only $11 more than the other site, I received a headshot I am very happy with.

AI Jury

The jury is still out on all the available tools. I am sure they will only get better. So, I am not going to write then all off due to one bad experience. The good news is I received a full refund which is to the company’s credit.

I have read LinkedIn horror stories of full writing staffs being laid off and replaced by AI tools. But as my headshot hunt showed me, the human touch is priceless.

Value the professionals and never forget the software products are tools.

Share your thoughts in Comments about the AI tools you have used.

Credit: Bigstock Photo

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