Annike Tan sparks viral surge in DIY cyberdecks among women on social media

3 articles · Updated · WIRED · Apr 28

Annike Tan’s TikTok videos showcasing her mermaid-inspired cyberdeck have attracted over 32 million views since March, inspiring women in London, New York, and beyond to create personalized tech devices.
Tan’s whimsical, hyper-feminine designs challenge the minimalist, mass-produced aesthetic of mainstream devices and reject generative AI’s cultural dominance, encouraging tech literacy and creative self-expression.
The cyberdeck trend, rooted in antiestablishment sci-fi culture, now offers a joyful, hands-on alternative to AI-driven homogenization, with hobbyists crafting unique gadgets as both artistic statements and personal escapes.

How is a 'hyper-femme' aesthetic reshaping the male-dominated world of DIY tech?

As DIY cyberdecks go viral, can they escape the commercialization that co-opts every trend?

While nations pursue AI dominance, is the future of tech personal and offline?

Is the 'cunty cyberdeck' the new symbol of Gen Z's rebellion against Big Tech?

Can building a retro-futuristic computer actually be the ultimate digital detox?