Perhaps you’ve noticed an uptick of old people on the internet this week. Gray hair, sagging skin, age spots — the whole nine yards. Instagram and Twitter (and wherever else people put stuff these days) have been flooded with these uncanny AI transformations, which all stem from an app called FaceApp. Whether or not you should be giving this app your photos is something you’ll have to research on your own, but concerns about privacy haven’t stopped so many of us curious to see what we might look like … old.
But exactly how accurate is this FaceApp thing?
What if you put it to the test by “transforming†some actual old people? Maybe some iconic celebrities whose faces have already stood the test of time, to see if FaceApp could correctly guess how they’d turn out? Sorry, but, which will be hotter: these algorithmic FaceApp prediction photos, or the real deal? We put the machine to the test by putting in young photos of old celebrities. Real deal is on the left, FaceApp transformation is on the right. See what you think.
Morgan Freeman
Damn, that’s pretty spot on. FaceApp Morgan’s got a bit more hair, but otherwise: Wow.
Queen Elizabeth
Also a good match if you ignore the coloring of the vintage picture. FaceApp doesn’t really account for technology, despite being a technology itself.
Dick Van Dyke
Real Dick’s hair is way more luscious and tintless than FaceApp gives him credit for here.
James Earl Jones
FaceApp did not give James enough credit for what is apparently a very good lifestyle. Real James looks great!
Cecily Tyson
Both Cecilys look good, although FaceApp does not account for the thick eyebrow trend of today.
Maggie Smith
Real Maggie and FaceApp Maggie don’t really match up here, although I’m sure Real Maggie would love her younger self’s hair situation.
Sidney Poitier
Pretty good, pretty good. Computer could’ve fooled me.
Clint Eastwood
Oh my god. FaceApp had no clue how to handle this one, did they?
Angela Lansbury
Here’s an example where FaceApp’s take goes too far into uncanny valley. Real Angela looks incredible.
Betty White
Ditto Betty.
Barbara Walters
FaceApp doesn’t quite understand how rich Barbara Walters is, do they?
Keith Richards
Oopsie.
Dolly Parton
Nice try, FaceApp!
Jane Fonda
Here’s one where, somehow, FaceApp knew to fully stave off (most of) the wrinkles and sags. And while Real Jane’s eyes are brighter, her perfectly shaped lips are exactly the same.