How to restore old photos using AI: The viral Gemini and ChatGPT trend explained

A fascinating trend has emerged on social media, where individuals are utilizing cutting-edge AI tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT to breathe new life into their old, grainy photographs. This viral phenomenon has captivated users on platforms such as X, with many sharing striking before-and-after photos that resemble professional retouching. The appeal of this trend lies in its simplicity and the remarkable results it delivers. Users can take faded, pixelated, or blurred images and transform them into crisp, high-quality portraits while preserving the original essence and emotion of the photos. Through advanced artificial intelligence, these tools enhance aspects such as color, texture, lighting, and detail, resulting in images that look as if they were recently captured with a modern DSLR camera. Many users have expressed astonishment at the outcomes, with some stating that the restored photos appear "as if they were taken yesterday." To participate, users simply upload their old images to ChatGPT or Google Gemini, following prompts designed to restore their pictures. Notably, an AI expert and X user, @ShreyaYadav_, recently shared a comprehensive guide on achieving professional-quality results. Her post included a detailed prompt that read: "Restore Your Old Photo with Gemini or ChatGPT Prompt: Edit this photo into a professional portrait of very high quality and color, comparable to the results of Canon EOS R5. Create like a recent photo, with great clarity and no noise. Produce razor-sharp photos. Full HD 32k." This prompt has quickly gained traction, enabling users to achieve studio-grade image restoration through AI models. One user shared their own experience with ChatGPT, highlighting that the results were significantly enhanced compared to other methods. Their prompt emphasized maintaining the subject's identity and originality while achieving ultra-high quality and natural colors. While both ChatGPT and Gemini produce impressive results, early comparisons indicate that Gemini offers more natural color grading and better texture retention. In contrast, ChatGPT excels in sharpness and fine facial detail, providing a refined finish. Ultimately, the choice between these platforms often depends on individual preference and the desired aesthetic outcome. Both rely on deep learning models trained on extensive image datasets, allowing them to intelligently enhance photos. This trend is reshaping how people engage with their cherished memories, making it easier than ever to restore and celebrate the past using the power of AI.