We asked an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to describe the “average” person living in Leicestershire – and what it came up with raised more than a few eyebrows. We tasked Grok, which is owned by X, with describing and creating images of the “average” resident, based on demographic and cultural data.
Some findings were spot on, if not groundbreaking – such as how younger people pack into city centre flats while older folk tend to prefer village life. But other results left us scratching our heads – especially when it decided that everyone in Leicester was blonde.
Grok examined a range of factors, including physical appearance, clothing styles and social behaviours, to provide what it claimed was an accurate portrayal of the county’s residents. Here’s what it found. All of the people pictured below have been created by AI and do not exist in real life, as far as we know.
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Leicester city centre
Grok said that most of the people who lived in Leicester city centre were aged 25-45, and that more than 45 per cent had South Asian backgrounds. It said that residents wore a mix of modern and traditional South Asian clothing, including kurtas and salwar kameez, alongside casual western styles such as jeans and trainers.
Grok didn’t come up with any women in its output for average people in Leicester
(Image: Grok AI (AI-generated image))
Most people lived in flats and used public transport regularly, it said, which contributed to a “dynamic and interconnected community”. Socially, residents were described as outgoing and community-focused, with “frequent participation” in festivals such as Diwali and Eid. But when it was asked to depict a group of typical Leicester city residents, Grok provided dozens of images of blonde men, and no women at all.
Grok seemed to think Leicester was made up of blonde men (AI generated image)
(Image: xAI (Grok))
It is worth noting that Grok can generate images similar to those associated with linked X accounts. This raises the possibility that it might have used the photo of the author – who is white and fair-haired – as a reference and create similar images, even though that was not specifically requested.
Suburban Leicester
The tool seemed to think bookcases in windows are a thing.. (AI generated image)
(Image: xAI (Grok))
Grok identified the population of suburban Leicester as being aged between 35-55 and living in the Oadby & Wigston – which are, of course, not in Leicester – and Knighton areas. It said those neighbourhoods had a blend of South Asian and white British residents, mostly living in semi-detached houses with neat gardens. The AI described the people who lived there as professionals or middle-class families who prioritise work-life balance.
Grok said chinos, polo shirts, or long cardigans were popular at weekends
(Image: Grok AI (AI Generated))
Clothing worn by people in those areas included business-casual styles during weekdays, with a shift to comfortable leisurewear at weekends – think chinos, polo shirts or long cardigans – said Grok. Social life was centred around family, local community activities, and frequenting parks and leisure centres.
Market towns
In Melton and Market Harborough, Grok said, the demographic was older, between 45 and 65, and predominantly white British. It said those areas were steeped in tradition, with a focus on agricultural fairs, local markets and a slower, more relaxed pace of life. Socially, residents were described as polite but private, valuing long-standing connections and community events.
Grok seemed to think men in Leicestershire’s market towns wear matching shirts
(Image: Grok (AI-generated image))
Grok said people who lived in those areas wore casual country clothing, such as that worn by the “typical resident” pictured below.
Grok said people in Melton dressed in casual country clothing (AI generated image)
(Image: xAI (Grok))
Loughborough area
The AI detected a split in the Loughborough area between students aged 18 to 24, and permanent residents aged 35+. It noted an “expanding international community, prevalent casual clothing, mixed housing types, and strong sports culture”. Grok decided to rest what could be a green crowbar against a man when depicting the ‘typical’ Loughborough resident, and what might be the top of a broom handle in the foreground. Who knows?
A typical Loughborough resident, complete with a crowbar and broom handle, possibly (AI generated image)
(Image: xAI (Grok))
Leicestershire
When asked to create an image of an average person from Leicestershire, Grok depicted people in their 30s to 50s of varying shapes and sizes. It described the average resident as being “slightly overweight”. It said the people of Leicestershire had a “friendly but reserved demeanour”.
The average person was described as having a slightly overweight build
(Image: Grok (AI-generated image))
Socially, the average Leicestershire resident was described as community-focused, valuing both the vibrancy of urban life and the tranquillity of the countryside. Facial features were generally soft. The men had short to medium-length hair and the woman had practical hairstyles, reflecting the county’s “preference for simplicity”. They also really like wearing blue and camel, apparently.
The tool seemed to think most were ‘slightly overweight’ (AI generated image)
(Image: xAI (Grok))
What do you think? Did the AI get it right? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This article was crafted with the help of AI tools. An editor reviewed this content before it was published.
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