Fake photos, real impact

Quick! Prepare thyself for a challenge. 

☝️ (Whoop) Here it is: Look at the above photo for five seconds. I mean really look at it. Now ready for the hard part? Try to not smile while doing so.

When Nigerian visual artist Malik Afegbua shared his most recent project, titled "The Elders Series," last month (of which the above photo is part), the response from around the world was overwhelmingly positive. 

• The collection showcases Black elderly models walking the runway at a fashion show, challenging stereotypes around how older people are perceived – as well as African faces and bodies.
• The catch? The fashion show never actually happened. 

🤖 AI meets art... Malik uses advanced AI to create his images, typing in prompts until a photo is produced that captures his specific vision. And while his work has been widely successful, he's most proud of being able to showcase the elderly community in a positive light. 

• "I didn't think it was going to resonate with the world like that," he told CNN. "I am glad that people are starting to have that conversation."