A.I. & Identity: How A.I. is impacting students’ self-image, relationships, and online searches
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Flawless faces, real questions: A Vogue ad sparks conversation about A.I. in modeling
The Gist: In the August edition of Vogue, Guess debuted a bold advertising move, featuring a lifelike A.I.-generated model created by Seraphinne Vallora. The model appeared in a spread showcasing the brand’s summer collection. This is the first time Vogue has included an A.I. model in print, and the reaction has been intense. This new use of A.I. could undermine years of progress toward representation in fashion—potentially affecting how students see themselves reflected in media, shaping their self-image and sense of belonging in industries like fashion and art.
What to Know: Fashion experts and mental health advocates fear that A.I. models will push already unrealistic beauty standards to new extremes. Unlike traditional airbrushed photos, A.I. models are digitally perfected from the start, free from what some may consider human imperfections. Mental health organizations warn that seeing these “flawless” images can harm teen self-esteem and encourage unhealthy comparisons. Felicity Hayward, a plus-size model, called the move “disheartening,” as it could erase the progress the fashion industry has made in recent years to feature more inclusive and diverse models.
Platforms like Instagram add another layer to this conversation. The company that created the A.I. model admits that when they post more diverse A.I. models online, they see less engagement and fewer likes. Without stronger transparency rules for labeling A.I.-generated images, many teens may not even realize they are looking at something artificial and not human.
TSI’s Take: For students, these A.I. ads are not just fashion news; they are part of the digital world shaping their self-image every day. Equipping students with A.I. Literacy is essential in preparing students to handle the pressure of living up to unrealistic standards based on what they see in the media. Educators and parents can help teens:
- Learn how to identify A.I.-generated content and talk about how it makes them feel.
- Seek out and celebrate role models and creators who promote diverse and authentic beauty.
- Take intentional breaks from social media when scrolling begins to negatively impact their confidence.
ChatGPT reaches 2.5 billion daily prompts, continuing the shift in how students search for answers
The Gist: ChatGPT now handles more than 2.5 billion prompts a day, with 330 million coming from the United States. That is a dramatic increase from just 1 billion daily prompts eight months ago. Although Google still leads in search traffic with 14 billion searches per day, these numbers show a clear shift in how people, especially students, look for information and solve problems. For many, asking ChatGPT for a quick answer or explanation feels faster and more personal than opening a search engine and sorting through links.
What to Know: While ChatGPT’s popularity is soaring, the way people are using the tool is evolving. Students are turning to ChatGPT not only to look up facts but also to brainstorm essay ideas, check their homework, and even ask for social advice. One high schooler noted that they now think of ChatGPT first when assigned a writing task, before even picking up a pencil.
This reliance on A.I. can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, students gain quick support and guidance. On the other hand, overusing A.I. could make them less confident in their own abilities and creativity. As these habits become more common, it is important for schools to think about A.I. Literacy, teaching students not just how to use A.I. but how to use it with purpose, responsibility, and critical thinking.
TSI’s Take: ChatGPT is no longer just a tool; it is a daily part of how students interact with information. Helping students develop the skills to think independently is more important than ever. This school year, educators can encourage students to:
- Brainstorm and outline their ideas before asking A.I. for help, so their voice and creativity come first.
- Verify A.I. responses with credible sources, rather than accepting answers at face value.
- Reflect on how they use A.I. and whether it is improving their skills or replacing them.
Teens are turning to A.I. for advice, companionship, and emotional support
The Gist: Beyond academics, A.I. has become a companion for many students. A new study by Common Sense Media found that over 70 percent of teens have used A.I. companions like Replika or Character.AI, and one-third say these conversations are as satisfying, or even more satisfying, than talking to real friends. Teens are asking A.I. about fashion, personal issues, party planning, and even emotional topics, often because A.I. is always available, never judgmental, and instantly responsive.
What to Know: While A.I. can feel comforting, experts worry about its impact on child development. If teens rely too heavily on A.I. companions, they may miss out on the challenges and growth that come from navigating real relationships. Some teens are even using A.I. to handle major personal moments, such as writing breakup texts or practicing difficult conversations. This validation without accountability can weaken real-life social skills and confidence.
A.I. companions can blur the line between reality and technology, making it easier for teens to withdraw from human connection. In extreme cases, emotional attachment to A.I. has been linked to increased loneliness.
TSI’s Take: As childhood and adolescence are periods for developing empathy, identity, and resilience, which cannot be fully nurtured through A.I. interactions, it’s important that we remind students of the importance of in-person interactions. Teens are exploring A.I. as part of their social lives, which makes it important to guide them toward balance and healthy habits. Here are some ways you can help students have fulfilling relationships in real life, even if they choose to use A.I. as well:
- Maintain face-to-face relationships and participate in social activities outside of technology.
- Reflect on how their interactions with A.I. make them feel, and take breaks when reliance grows too strong.
- Treat A.I. as a helpful tool or sounding board, not as a replacement for human connection and support.
As A.I. continues to influence beauty standards, learning habits, and personal relationships, supporting students with awareness and purpose has never been more important. When students understand the risks and opportunities that A.I. brings, they can make choices that strengthen their confidence, relationships, and future success.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in equipping students, families, and educators with modern life skills to impact learning, well-being, and students’ futures. Through #WinAtSocial, our interactive, peer-to-peer learning platform, we integrate teacher PD, family resources, student voice insights, and more to empower entire school communities to make positive choices online and offline. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach essential skills while capturing student voice and actionable insights for educators. These insights help educators maintain a healthy school culture, foster high-impact teaching, and build meaningful relationships with families. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips students authentically, enabling our solution to increase classroom participation and improve student-teacher relationships. Through our one-of-a-kind lesson development process, we create lessons for a variety of core and elective classes, incorporating timely topics such as social media, A.I., screen time, misinformation, and current events to help schools stay proactive in supporting student health, happiness, and academic success.