In a heartwarming reel that quickly went viral, Puja Didi, a domestic worker from Mumbai, can be seen “vacationing” in Dubai, dressed in breezy Western outfits, posing against skyscrapers and beaches. The images weren’t from a sudden trip abroad but from an AI experiment by her employer, marketer and content creator Pallavi Jha. What could have been just another trendy edit struck a deeper chord online when viewers saw not only humour, but also aspiration, intimacy, and joy. In a world where artificial intelligence is often cast as a cold machine or job-stealer, young Indians are increasingly using it to tell stories of love, memory, and belonging.

For most, AI is framed through the lens of productivity — a powerful tool that automates tasks, drafts reports, or threatens to replace jobs. But many are using it to carve joyful memories. Instead of spreadsheets and workflow hacks, they are experimenting with playful, personal creations with trends such as travel makeovers, meme edits, even imagined reunions with loved ones. As AI educator Ansh Mehra observes, “AI feels almost like a person, not a chatbot.” People are hooked because AI always agrees with you. It is programmed to have a bias for the prompter.” That comfort creates space for creativity, intimacy, and emotional storytelling.