AI Visualizes All 50 U.S. States as Hunger Games Contestants

December 14, 2023

AI Imagines Hunger Games Contestants for Each State

Thanks to the new film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the Hunger Games series is seeing a revival. This series of novels by Suzanne Collins about a dystopian future where rival districts send contestants to play a deadly game became a cultural phenomenon that helped launch Jennifer Lawrence’s career after they were transformed into films. The new film, which is a prequel to the four movies released between 2012 and 2015, got BuzzFeed author Sarah Aspler curious about what would happen if the United States decided to start their own Hunger Games.

Turning to AI, Aspler created a set of tributes for each U.S. state and the results are fascinating. Hunger Games is known for the fantastical costumes they outfit their players in, each representing the characteristics of their respective district. And these looks are no different.

Some are hilariously based on food, such as Wisconsin’s cheese-based look and Idaho’s potato headpiece. Others play on nature, with Connecticut’s contestants wearing costumes based on fall foliage and Washington’s players outfitted in a lush green moss look inspired by the forest.

And, since this is AI, others play on obvious stereotypes. New Jersey’s contestants look like they belong on Jersey Shore, while Colorado’s pair is decked out as snow bunnies. But overall, there seems to be more variety than usual when it comes to the imagery that AI produces. There are different body types and more minority representation than one often sees.

And while some looks have quite obvious ties to the state they are based on, others have a more subtle approach. This makes this AI Hunger Games series even more enjoyable to look at, as you’ll continue to see new details when examining the images. Scroll down to see all 50 looks and see if you agree with how the tributes from your state are dressed.