Have you heard about AI influencers appearing on Instagram and TikTok?
If not, it’s understandable if this phenomenon seems a bit strange—but it’s real!
Right now, not just one but multiple AI influencers are making their mark on social media with their artificial presence.
What Is an AI Influencer?
AI influencers are virtual personalities created using artificial intelligence tools.
They typically have a 3D-generated face, and their posts are crafted by AI language models.
Each AI influencer has a unique set of interests, which they post about and use to build partnerships with major brands—just like traditional influencers.
You might be wondering: Why would anyone follow these influencers if they aren’t real people?
Surprisingly, some AI influencers have amassed millions of followers on Instagram and genuinely influence consumer buying decisions.
From a marketing perspective, this shift is fascinating, as brands can now reach their target audience through AI-generated personalities. However, it also raises ethical dilemmas—should it be clearly disclosed that these influencers aren’t real? Otherwise, isn’t it just a form of manipulation?
Popular AI Influencers
Several AI influencers have gained traction on social media, with the most popular ones reaching millions of followers.
Here are some of the biggest names:
Lil Miquela
Lil Miquela is one of the most well-known AI influencers, frequently appearing alongside celebrities and high-fashion brands.
She was created in 2016 by the AI company Brud as a young, relatable influencer based in Los Angeles. Unlike many other virtual personalities, she doesn’t just post about fashion and beauty—she also engages in discussions about real-world topics, which has contributed to her high engagement levels.
Lu do Magalu
Lu was developed by the Brazilian company Magalu and originally started as a chatbot for customer support.
Over time, her warm (yet artificial) personality became a success, and she has since been used extensively for product reviews and brand promotions.
Shudu
Shudu was created by British photographer Cameron-James Wilson and commissioned by the fashion brand Balmain.
Designed as the first AI supermodel, her social media presence revolves around high-fashion photoshoots and collaborations with luxury beauty and fashion brands.
Why Are AI Influencers So Popular?
Brands are turning to AI influencers for several reasons.
One major advantage is the consistency they offer—AI influencers can generate content tailored precisely to a brand’s vision and values.
They also eliminate limitations related to time, language, or cultural differences, making them highly adaptable for international campaigns.
Given their ability to create global engagement with relatively few resources, AI influencers are expected to play an even larger role in digital marketing in the future.
Downsides of AI-Generated Influencers
Because these influencers are AI-generated, they will never achieve the same depth and authenticity as real human influencers.
Even though some of them have millions of followers, many users struggle to connect with AI personalities due to the lack of genuine emotional involvement.
It’s also crucial for brands to be transparent about the artificial nature of these influencers to avoid ethical concerns from users who may mistakenly believe they are real people.
I’m still torn on whether they should be shut down entirely. Social media already distorts reality, and AI influencers could make that even worse.
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