What happened
A trend of 80s-style photos created using artificial intelligence has taken over the Arab world, with many celebrities and businesses sharing their own retro-style images. However, some have criticized the trend, warning of the potential risks of sharing personal data and biometric information. In Saudi Arabia, a TV channel warned that the trend could be a "trap for collecting data". An Lebanese newspaper, affiliated with Hezbollah, wrote that behind every nostalgic photo, there are years of war, division, and displacement.
Despite the criticism, many have embraced the trend, using it as a marketing tool. A Saudi burger restaurant used the trend to create 80s-style photos, saying "maybe we didn't live in the 80s, but we managed to imagine them in our own way". An international bank operating in Egypt also used the trend in an advertisement, saying "if you thought life was easy in the 80s, you're wrong".
