AI-enhanced photos: A confidence boost or a mask for insecurities?

READ: Part 1 | Picture too perfect: How AI is messing up reality

EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – As AI continues to revolutionize how people see themselves and present their identities online, it may also subtly change users’ self-perception, often in ways they don’t anticipate. 

While there is promised “effortless” beauty, AI-enhanced images feed into societal pressures, magnifying insecurities and pushing individuals farther from who they truly are. For many, the cost of perfection isn’t just digital — it’s emotional and deeply personal, raising urgent questions about how this technology shapes our mental well-being and cultural norms.

Misinformed aesthetic

Despite the data security risks, many users continue to use AI-enhanced photos due to their appeal of escapism and self-expression. 

Psychometrician and positive psychology practitioner Mary Jedde Ampolitod-Busa said the trend stems from a psychological need for acknowledgment and acceptance — even if it means altering one’s appearance.

“Using such apps is psychologically rooted. It reflects a human being’s desire for validation,” she said.

For those with low self-esteem, AI-generated photos can offer a temporary confidence boost through social recognition. However, the lack of this validation can lead to feelings of inadequacy or psychological distress. 

She also warned that these tools often deepen the gap between a person’s idealized self and his or her actual self. 

“The bigger the gap between the ideal self and the actual self, the higher the stress levels and anxiety,” she added. “Individuals are moving farther from self-acceptance, instead chasing trends dictated by unattainable beauty standards.”

Manilyn Campo and Shirly Valdez, avid AI app users from Eastern Samar, know this dynamic well. Their AI-enhanced photos often spark curiosity on Facebook, with friends questioning if they’re real or dramatically altered. 

For Manilyn, the attention makes the tools even more appealing — she shares the apps and teaches others to use them, simply wanting to feel beautiful. 

Similarly, Shirly said she believes AI boosts confidence for people like her. 

Few realize these tools not only misinform others, but most importantly, the users themselves, yet they are both aware that some do not use AI for expression, but as a mask to conceal shame or manipulate others.

Manilyn loves AI for its ability to transform her appearance, making her look “prettier,” as the results show.

“Your hair is so long, you look like a foreigner already! Like that, and others feel ashamed of their looks,” Manilyn said, referring to some of the comments she would get from people. 

But there is a proper context as to why shame plays a part in AI-enhanced photos beyond mere fun and vanity. 

Hiya (shame) and pakikisama (smooth interpersonal relationships) profoundly shape how people engage with these tools. They drive individuals to hide imperfections by creating idealized images to avoid being judged, while conforming with social expectations and norms.

Ampolitod-Busa underscored this tension: “AI-enhanced photos have the capability to hide, remove, or alter parts of the physical body that are deemed not up to the norm’s beauty standards. They have the power to minimize shame and avoid criticism, but the danger comes in the fact that the individuals are now trying to hide their authentic selves in order to appear loved and recognized.”

Responsibility

Despite the foundation provided by the Data Privacy Act (DPA), questions linger: will it ever be enough?

“Nothing is actually ever enough when it comes to protecting our data, but this law is a very good start. Our law, compared to some other international laws, is much stricter,” said lawyer Rysan Guinocor, chief legal officer at Visayas State University (VSU). 

He emphasized that while the DPA is robust, its effectiveness depends on consistent updates to address emerging technological challenges and consistent nationwide enforcement to protect users from risks.

Dominic Ligot, founder and CEO of CirroLytix and Data Ethics PH, stressed the importance of awareness and ethical AI practices, transparency, and user consent in data use. 

“Avoid sharing sensitive images and always read terms before agreeing to them,” he advised. 

He encouraged users to navigate responsibly by reviewing app permissions, using privacy settings, and choosing apps with strong data protection policies especially as younger users quickly adopt these technologies.

For Shirly, also a mother of six, AI-enhanced images bring both benefits and concerns. Posting them on Facebook boosts her confidence, but she remains cautious about the risks:

“It may relieve my stress, but I would never allow my children to use these apps. They could be dangerous if you’re not vigilant,” she said.

Manilyn shared a similar sentiment, urging moderation: “Dapat gamiton la talaga nim for entertainment. Dapat may ka limitation, dire nga imo nala it hihimuon nga kinabuhi, kay wara ma hit tawo nga sugad hit itsura hit dinhe [ha Llorente], kay ano nga dudu nim paglarang?”

(You should only use it for entertainment. You should have limitations. Don’t make it your whole life because no one here in Llorente looks like that. Why would you doubt your own natural appearance?)

As AI tools continue to evolve, it only means they’re meant to stay, just like vanity — but the pursuit of perfection often comes with risks that users must navigate thoughtfully. They are becoming part of the norm, challenging human authenticity and self-expression. 

In a world where a single tap can reshape appearances, it’s important to question how these technologies affect identities, relationships, and privacy even with proper legislation. – Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a student journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar, enrolled in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. A managing editor of Amaranth, Cyril is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.