Beaufort uses artificial intel to make digital public service ‘action figures’
Artificial intelligence-generated action figures have exploded on internet recently, with people and businesses creating doll-like versions of themselves for marketing or fun using AI tools such as ChatGPT. Sometimes, the figures are part of so-called “starter packs” that feature not only the likeness of a specific person but also accessories that fit the person’s personality or job.
The city of Beaufort has joined the trend. On Monday, in a Facebook post, it introduced “an action figure set” featuring the entire City Council and individual action figures of City Manager Scott Marshall, Deputy City Manager J.J. Sauve and Public Information Officer Ashley Brandon.
The city, says Brandon, the PIO, is using AI, social media and a sense of humor to introduce key figures in city government to residents.
“We’re all people and I think it’s really good for people to understand that and relate, if you will, and see another side,” Brandon said. “A lot of what we do at the city is very serious. If we can take a minute to make people laugh, we like to do that as well.”
The figures are digital images only for use on social media, not actual dolls.
The action set of council members features likenesses of Mitch Mitchell, Mike McFee, Phil Cromer, Neil Lipsitz and Josh Scallate standing side by side.
Comments about the AI-generated images were mostly positive — except from Scallate, who noted, “They messed up my hairline.”
The images of Marshall, Sauve and Brandon were package with accessories, or tools of their trade. The starter pack featuring Marshall, the city manager, for example, included a coffee cup, calculator, a rolled up city schematic and an agenda.
“Introducing the new B-force: the only action figures that can handle city council meetings, approve budgets and coffee runs all at once!” the city wrote on Facebook. “Who needs super powers when you have coffee and a can-do attitude.”
“It’s just a trend and we thought it would be cool for the city to participate,” Brandon said.
City police are getting in on the act as well. Earlier this month, the department released a number of starter packs on Facebook featuring officers including one for a K9 named Supra that shows the dog’s image and a few of its pleasures in life: rubber ball, bone and treats.
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The use of AI, Brandon said, is part a broader social media campaign by the city to introduce employees and departments to the city.
In a feature called “spotlight,” employees share some personal information about themselves along with their job responsibilities. A new feature that will be released on social media soon will feature stories on city departments and what’s happening behind the scenes.
“Public service is a hard job so it’s always nice when the people of the city know you,” Brandon said.
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM.
