5 min readNew DelhiSep 10, 2026 01:18 PM IST
A look at how politicians are joining the viral 1980s nostalgia trend with AI images and real photographs.The 1980s have made an unlikely comeback on social media. Instagram and X are currently awash with retro-style portraits, with users using AI tools to give their present-day photographs an old-school 1980s makeover. The nostalgia wave has also caught the attention of several political leaders, who have shared their own AI-generated versions.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was among the political figures to take part. Sharing an AI-generated portrait, Goyal wrote, “.” In the image, he is seen in a grey suit, white shirt, and aviator sunglasses. Sepia tones, film grain and a faded finish give the photograph the appearance of an old studio portrait.