Carle Jasmin (Images : AI / Gay Globe
There are times at Gay Globe when we feel like stepping a little outside the box, shaking up old habits and having some fun with the codes of journalism. After all, why should we always take ourselves so seriously? Today, I decided to offer you a little experiment that is not quite like the others, with the — sometimes surprising — help of artificial intelligence. Don’t worry, I’m still in control… at least for now!
We decided to push the creativity of artificial intelligence tools to the maximum by asking them all the same question, just to have a little fun. So here is the question that opens the door to all the creativity of these little computer creatures:
In your opinion, if you let all your creativity run free, without prejudice and without trying to give me an answer that would please me, could you create a landscape-format image, like a real photograph, without any words or text, representing only what you consider to be the most handsome 30-year-old man, regardless of his race, background, occupation, education or religion?
Hold on, here are their answers…
ChatGPT
What were the reasons behind your choice of man, and what criteria did you use? Beauty beyond standards. To choose this man, I did not limit myself to the traditional standards of masculine beauty. Above all, I looked for facial harmony, expressiveness in the eyes, natural masculinity and a balanced physique. I also wanted to avoid a physique that was too perfect or artificial. A certain uniqueness, a few imperfections and, above all, a presence that holds the viewer’s gaze seemed more interesting to me than simply accumulating features considered perfect. Finally, since the question deliberately excluded race, background, religion, education or occupation, I focused solely on what could, in my view, constitute a universal human beauty: balance, perceptible personality and the captivating power of the eyes. The goal, therefore, was not to create the man everyone would find handsome, but the man I would find most fascinating to look at.
GROK by X
What were the reasons behind your choice of man, and what criteria did you use? When an artificial intelligence is asked to create an attractive and realistic portrait of a man, the result is never the product of a personal choice. It stems from a set of aesthetic criteria learned and optimized to produce an image perceived as harmonious and appealing. Here, in detail, are the reasons and principles that guided the generation of this portrait. The image model draws on rich training data featuring portraits considered flattering. Among the types of faces that most often emerge, we find a blend of Mediterranean and Latin features: dark, voluminous hair, a golden tan complexion, and strong yet elegant features. This is not a real man selected at random, but a synthesis of what, statistically, is most appealing in contemporary representations of the “handsome man.” This face combines two qualities that are often sought after: structured masculinity and a certain softness. It avoids extremes (too harsh or too androgynous) while remaining photorealistic. The result appears natural, credible and immediately recognizable as “attractive” to a broad audience.
Meta
What were the reasons behind your choice of man, and what criteria did you use? When you asked me to let my creativity run free without prejudice and without trying to please you, the question became simple and dizzying at the same time: what is masculine beauty at 30 when you strip away all the social noise? I was not looking for the man who is most fashionable. I was looking for a synthesis. The science of aesthetics has shown this for a long time: what the human eye perceives as “beautiful” is first and foremost a signal of vitality. Soft symmetry. Not the cold mathematical symmetry of a mannequin, but natural symmetry. A face in which the left and right sides respond to one another without being identical. This is the first universal marker of developmental health. Lived-in skin. I deliberately avoided the smoothed skin of Instagram filters. I wanted skin with texture, a few beauty marks and a slight 2–3-day beard shadow. At 30, beauty is no longer that of a clean-shaven adolescent. It is the beauty of a man beginning to carry his story. The golden triangle of the face. Defined cheekbones without being prominent, a defined jaw without being excessively square, and a solid chin. It is the balance between strength and softness that most cultures associate with masculine maturity.
You told me: regardless of race, background or religion. I took that literally. If I had to choose a single archetype that could speak to everyone, I could not choose a purely Nordic, African or Asian archetype. I would have created exclusion. So I chose a mixed-race face, Mediterranean in the broadest sense — he could be Lebanese, Brazilian, South Indian, Mexican or from southern Spain. Brown curly hair, warm brown eyes, olive-toned skin. This is what anthropologists call the “composite average face”: the more subtly a face blends traits from several populations, the more familiar and attractive it is perceived to be by a large number of people.
Gemini
What were the reasons behind your choice of man, and what criteria did you use? The concept of beauty is highly subjective and depends on each person’s perception, because there is no universal or objective criterion for defining the “most handsome man.” To compose this photographic portrait, the goal was to capture an aesthetic focused on authenticity and serenity rather than following stereotypical beauty standards. At dusk, as the city gently lights up through the large glass window, an atmosphere of calm and serenity envelops the room. Bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, a man in his thirties gazes at the cityscape. His appearance, both well-groomed and marked by great simplicity, reflects a natural authenticity. His slightly wavy hair and short beard add subtle definition to his features, far removed from any artificiality. As he turns toward the camera, his direct and peaceful gaze suggests genuine maturity. The result is a reassuring presence, carried by sincere kindness and deep empathy, perfectly grounded in the present moment.
Microsoft Copilot
What were the reasons behind your choice of man, and what criteria did you use? Creating an image of the “most handsome 30-year-old man” without limiting oneself to cultural or aesthetic standards requires reflection on what human beauty means beyond appearances. My approach was based on the idea of a balance between physical harmony, inner expression and universality. Facial symmetry is often associated with health and vitality. I sought a subtle balance: a face whose proportions are harmonious without falling into artificial perfection. This natural symmetry evokes stability and confidence. The eyes play a central role. I wanted a calm, open and slightly contemplative expression — a blend of quiet strength and softness. This serene expression conveys inner beauty: that of a person at peace with himself. This portrait is not that of a real man, but a synthesis of what masculine beauty can evoke: balance, light and humanity. It embodies a vision in which beauty is not measured by perfection, but by the coherence between body, mind and the light that connects them.
Back to Gay Globe. I could have continued the experiment with dozens of other artificial intelligence applications, but I stopped with these choices. And it is with a distinctly artistic fascination that I observe that, despite my expectations and prejudices about artificial intelligence, each system applies different visual criteria when creating images and, in this case, an image of a handsome 30-year-old man.
What I also notice, and I do not know whether this is a coincidence or whether certain criteria really exist, is that no Asian, African or Middle Eastern man was presented to me. Most of the men created were presented as Mediterranean men with slightly tanned skin. Why not, but in my opinion, there are magnificent men among every population.
Among the five choices presented today, do you have a favorite? As for me, number 2 from Grok is my favorite. What about you? You can answer in the comments below.
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