Horrendous AI model shows what humans could look like by 2050 if we don’t get off the couch

Horrendous AI model shows what humans could look like by 2050 if we don’t get off the couch

A new digital projection by step-tracking app WeWard has imagined the chilling future of humanity’s physical evolution — and it isn’t pretty. Using data from the World Health Organization, CDC and other health bodies, WeWard created “Sam,” a disturbing AI-generated model that shows what people could look like in 25 years if they continue their sedentary lifestyles, said an article on the New York Post.

The rise of the sofa goblin

WeWard describes Sam as a “medically grounded projection” of what prolonged inactivity could do to our health and appearance. Created with the help of ChatGPT, Sam represents the global “inactivity epidemic,” which has reached alarming levels — 80% of adolescents worldwide reportedly fail to meet recommended physical activity standards. As WeWard notes, modern conveniences — from online shopping to virtual meetings — have confined much of daily life to the couch.

From convenience to catastrophe

The company warns that spending excessive time sitting or scrolling can lead to serious health risks including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even dementia. “If you’re looking for something frightening this Halloween,” WeWard wrote, “look no further than what could be our future if we continue to place convenience over daily movement.”

Posture, pain, and ‘scroll-iosis’

Sam’s forward-tilted head and rounded back are the result of what experts call “tech neck,” a posture caused by hours spent hunched over screens. According to the journal Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery, frequent smartphone use can induce musculoskeletal strain and chronic neck pain. These issues, once limited to older adults, are now increasingly seen among younger generations glued to their devices.

Swollen feet, sluggish circulation

Sam’s swollen feet and ankles are a stark warning of the circulatory damage that sitting too long can cause. Reduced movement leads to fluid buildup, varicose veins, and even blood clots. In one tragic real-life case, a 24-year-old gamer in the UK died from a clot formed after hours of uninterrupted sitting during lockdown.

More than just looks

WeWard’s projection goes beyond aesthetics — the team warns of joint stiffness, arthritis, hair thinning, and chronic fatigue as likely outcomes of long-term inactivity. Sam’s grotesque form is meant to shock people into moving more. To drive the message home, WeWard invited users to upload photos to its AI model and see how their own “spooky future appearance” might look if they don’t start walking.

Sam might be fictional, but the science behind him is not — and unless we get off the sofa, he may be the mirror image of our future selves.