India, Sept. 10 -- The internet is suddenly looking very '80s. On Instagram and X, people are using AI to turn ordinary selfies into retro photos with big hairstyles, vintage clothes, warm lighting and film-like grain. The trend has spread quickly, with users sharing their AI versions of what they might have looked like decades ago.

At first glance, it looks like another fun social media challenge. But the trend also taps into a bigger interest in nostalgia. You can now use AI to place yourself in a decade you may never have experienced, turning an imagined past into a picture you can share.

The appeal may partly come from the decade's strong visual identity. Think bold clothes, dramatic hairstyles, old cameras and studio portraits. AI ...