Different Dimension Me (异次元的我) image generator

Different Dimension Me (异次元的我) is an AI-based application that generates anime versions of images, including photographs. 

Developed by Chinese technology and gaming company Tencent and incorporating Stability AI's Stable Diffusion image generator, Different Dimension Me was released in November 2022 on Tencent's QQ platform.

The response to Different Dimension Me has largely been positive, with Tencent reputedly having to restrict access to it after unexpectedly strong international sign-ups and traffic. 


Operator: Tencent
Developer: Tencent

Country: China; Global

Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts

Purpose: Generate images

Technology: Computer vision; Image recognition
Issue: Bias/discrimination - race, ethnicity, gender, size; Privacy; Safety; Surveillance

Transparency: Governance; Black box

Risks and harms 🛑

Different Dimension Me has been criticised for 'whitewashing' people of colour and for potential privacy violations and use as a Chinese government surveillance too

Incidents and issues 🔥

The app's global growth was met with complaints from users outside about its apparent failure to identify black and plus-size individuals - groups that tend to be missing in Japanese anime - resulting in whitewashed people of colour and other peculiar anime-gery. 

The Chinese government's apparent ability to access and manage all kinds of data and information within the Great Firewall has resulted in concerns being expressed about user privacy and possible surveillance.

Page info
Type: System
Published: January 2023
Last updated: May 2024