Have you ever contemplated what your pet could resemble as a human? Thanks to ChatGPT’s image creation feature—now accessible to free users—that curiosity is evolving into a viral phenomenon. Since its recent launch, users have been experimenting with the tool in various imaginative ways, with one of the most favored (and somewhat unsettling) applications being the conversion of pets into human likenesses.

Let’s face it: many of us already treat our pets as if they’re people. (I, for instance, am persuaded my dog Henry possesses the emotional complexity of a Shakespearean protagonist.) However, people are now taking it a notch higher by utilizing AI to illustrate what their furry friends might resemble as actual humans. The outcomes? Equally captivating and disconcerting.

A Reddit post that rapidly gained traction featured a cat transformed into a human, while retaining the original background of the image. The metamorphosis elicited both admiration and a touch of horror among viewers.

And it’s not limited to Reddit. Across platforms like Bluesky, users are posting their own AI-created pet-human combinations. One user cautioned, “Do not, under any circumstances, ask ChatGPT to depict what your dog would look like as a human. It will linger in your mind and change your bond with your pet forever.” Another user took a more humorous stance, chuckling at how their dog still resembled a “pup” even as a human.

Responses to this trend are varied. Some find the results delightful, while others are unsettled by the eerie similarities. TechRadar’s John-Anthony Disotto confessed he was “not entirely ready to see a grown man perched on the yellow armchair [his dog] loves to occupy,” describing the encounter as a moment spent in the uncanny valley.

This pet-to-human trend is merely the latest in a surge of inventive applications for ChatGPT’s image maker. Just last week, users were turning themselves into AI-generated action figures, demonstrating that the tool is as adaptable as it is amusing.

How to Transform Your Pet into a Human with ChatGPT

Interested in trying it out yourself? It’s surprisingly easy. Begin by uploading a clear picture of your pet. Next, prompt ChatGPT with something like, “Transform my pet into a human, while keeping the rest of the picture unchanged.” The AI may pose a few clarification questions, but the procedure is generally seamless.

Just a note of caution: once you envision your pet as a person, there’s no turning back. Whether you find it endearing or a tad strange, it’s certainly a conversation starter—and perhaps a new way to value your four-legged companion.