As an enthusiast in AI image creation, I’ve encountered a persistent issue that underscores the lack of diversity in base models such as Stable Diffusion, Flux, or MidJourney. Specifically, these models or platforms struggle to accurately and respectfully represent plus-size individuals, particularly men. Despite advancements in AI-generated art, the training data for these models often lacks the nuanced representation of diverse body types, leading to distorted or exaggerated depictions when attempting to generate plus-size figures.
The Problem with Training Data and Model Representation
While there is training data available for plus-size individuals, it pales in comparison to the representation of general body types. For example, a platform such as MidJourney excels in creating realistic close-ups of plus-size people with notable detail and accuracy. However, when tasked with rendering full-body images, it often produces grotesque or comical exaggerations, particularly for male subjects. This disparity is less pronounced for female subjects, but it still highlights an overall imbalance in the representation of plus-size individuals.
Custom models and checkpoints based on open-source frameworks like Stable Diffusion and Flux fare no better. Creators often prioritize training on general body types, resulting in well-polished outputs for those individuals while leaving plus-size representations as an afterthought. A quick survey of platforms featuring custom models reveals a wealth of diverse tools for general body types but a frustrating scarcity of resources for plus-size individuals.
MidJourney and the Issue of Censorship
A unique problem with MidJourney is its tendency to interpret prompts about plus-size individuals as offensive or inappropriate, even when the prompts lack any sexual connotation. This results in the censorship or outright blocking of attempts to generate such images, further marginalizing the representation of diverse body types. The platform’s content moderation filters, while intended to prevent harmful or offensive content, often misfire by labeling requests for plus-size depictions as problematic. This oversight not only frustrates admirers of the plus-size bodies aesthetics, but also perpetuates a societal bias that views plus-size bodies as inherently controversial or unworthy of artistic exploration.
Gender Bias and Representation in AI Models
Another striking issue is the gender bias in custom model training. Many creators disproportionately train models on female bodies, particularly for nude or semi-nude depictions. While there is an abundance of custom models featuring female bodies, male representation remains limited, especially in artistic or non-sexualized contexts. For plus-size individuals, this disparity is even starker.
In cases where plus-size women are represented, the training data often leans heavily toward explicit or fetishized portrayals rather than artistic or dignified representations. While there is nothing inherently wrong with catering to specific fantasies or preferences, the imbalance relegates plus-size women to a narrow narrative. For plus-size men, the situation is even bleaker—barely 1% of explicit custom models feature them, and male oriented LGBTQ+ representations are virtually non-existent.
Community Dynamics and the Way Forward
The lack of diversity in AI models reflects broader societal attitudes toward plus-size individuals. Despite the growing appreciation for body positivity, AI creators often gravitate toward mainstream standards of beauty and desirability, perpetuating the marginalization of underrepresented body types.
As someone dedicated to creating AI art focused on plus-size aesthetics, this imbalance is deeply frustrating. While I could train custom models to address this issue, the process requires time and expertise that not all enthusiasts possess. Instead, I’ve developed prompting techniques to force models to generate realistic plus-size individuals, but this workaround is far from ideal and highlights the limitations of current systems.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
The underrepresentation of plus-size individuals in AI-generated art is a multifaceted issue rooted in societal biases and the priorities of model creators. The lack of accurate, diverse training data for plus-size individuals—especially men—hinders efforts to produce respectful and artistic representations. This imbalance not only limits creative possibilities but also perpetuates stereotypes that devalue the beauty and artistry of diverse body types.
The question remains: will this attitude change? Will platforms like MidJourney and creators of open-source models address these gaps? While the answer is unclear, one thing is certain—progress will require a shift in how society and the AI art community value diversity in representation. Until then, enthusiasts and advocates must continue pushing for inclusion, celebrating all body types as worthy of artistic exploration.