The Rise of AI Influencers: Boon or Bane for Digital Creators?
AI influencers are everywhere. In fashion campaigns and TIME Magazine, with millions of followers and a ton of influence.
While many are entirely fictional characters, now, it’s easier than ever for creators to make digital versions of themselves—simply open TikTok, Midjourney, or any of the other numerous AI avatar generators available at your fingertips.
Whether you’re interested in cloning your voice or creating an entire digital persona, doing so can make you money and save you time…but it doesn’t come without risks.
Thinking of diving into the new world of AI influencers or considering digitalizing your online personality? Coming up, we’ll introduce you to the trends and popular names in the game, and help you weigh the pros and cons of developing one yourself.
What Are AI Influencers?
To fully grasp what AI influencers are, we think it’s important to understand where they came from. We’ll walk you through the beginnings of the concept and its key definitions ahead.
The Beginnings of Virtual Influencers
Despite seeming like an emerging trend, AI influencers have roots back to the 1980s. The first virtual influencer (or virtual idol) was Lynn Minmay, the main character of the anime TV series Super Dimension Fortress Macross.
While Minmay was a fictional, animated TV show character, the Macross franchise released music under her name and attained levels of success that real human singers or actresses might.
While many other virtual idols have existed throughout the years, the world saw a massive change in what they looked like when Lil Miquela was launched in 2016. The now 21-year-old (yes, she ages) has since worked with brands like Prada, Calvin Klien, and Pacsun, making TIME magazine’s list of the 25 most influential people on the internet.
Key Definitions
When it comes to virtual influencers, there’s more than just one concept you should be aware of.
- AI Influencer: Also called virtual influencers and virtual idols, no matter what you call them, these digital personas can be either fictional or based on a human. AI influencers have substantial followings on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube and are often used in influencer marketing campaigns.
- AI Avatars: While still a digital persona, AI avatars are based on real people. Anyone can create one, whether used in influencer campaigns or not. Some real, live influencers have created AI avatars used in different brand partnerships.
- Virtual Persona: A digital character created for entertainment, social, or marketing purposes. While these personas aren’t always based on a human, they are consistent and can even interact with real users.
- Voice Clone: Influencers, actors, singers, and voice actors can now clone their voices and sell them to be used in video games, ads, or automated customer service interfaces. For example, the estates of actors of the past with legendary voices like Judy Garland and Sir Laurence Olivier have made deals with a reading app.
- Deepfake Technology: Often used in entertainment, deepfakes are sophisticated AI and machine learning algorithms that create highly realistic video and audio content. Misusing deepfakes has some ethical implications, though.
- Synthetic Media: Videos, photos, and audio generated with AI. Synthetic media includes everything from AI-generated artwork to computer-generated influencers.
Are AI Influencers Successful?
Arguably so. They’re taking over the campaign spots of real, human influencers, sitting pretty in otherworldly ads for big fashion brands like Chanel, Prada, Gucci, and Coach.
Lenovo, IKEA, 7-Eleven, and Fortnite are also among the many names that have worked with AI influencers.
Popular AI Influencers
Lil Miquela
Lil Miquela's Instagram Account
A “21-year old robot living in LA,” Miquela Sousa is completely computer-generated and lives a pretty privileged virtual life.
Shudu
The world’s first digital supermodel. Shudu has graced the cover of Vogue and been featured in brand partnerships like Ellesse.
Imma
From BAPE and IKEA to Harper’s Bazaar and TED, Imma is everywhere. This virtual influencer has some serious sway, with her Coach campaign receiving “overwhelmingly positive” feedback.
How to Create an AI Avatar
Virtual influencer marketing campaigns have been incredibly successful. Many of these virtual influencers have hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of followers.
Just like real influencers, these virtual models have personas and a following that is attracted to their content. However, some audiences love them, and some can’t get past the idea that computer-generated models are replacing real human models and influencers.
One of the many benefits of AI influencers is their consistency and availability. Now, real influencers, such as yourself, have the option to create an AI avatar that can be used similarly to these virtual models.
Where Can You Make a Digital Avatar?
TikTok has now made it possible to clone your voice for easy AI voiceovers on your videos. They also recently introduced Symphony Digital Avatars, where brands can choose from licensed stock avatars to use in their content, and creators can scale their likeness to create a custom avatar.
Should You Create a Digital Avatar?
This brings us to the main question we seek to answer in this blog: now that you can create a digital version of yourself, should you?
Pros & Cons of Creating a Digital Avatar
At MODERNSPEAK, we are all about authenticity and do not have any AI creators on our roster, but we believe it’s important to lay out all the pros and cons.
It comes with advantages like:
- Creating a consistent visual style
- 24/7 availability
- Scalability
- International appeal (multiple languages available)
However, there are also risks:
- High initial cost
- Lack of authenticity (some may find your avatar less relatable)
- Technical challenges
- Audience skepticism
- Ethical and privacy concerns (deceptive content)
Do Brands Want to Work with Digital Avatars?
Working with a digital avatar can be appealing for brands but that doesn’t mean the content will be accepted as widely as a trusted creator’s. Here’s why:
- Brands can dictate aspects of the avatar’s presentation, responses, style, and the environments they appear in.
- Avatars can undergo transformations, adapt to different campaigns, and represent brands in ways that real humans can’t (embodying abstract concepts or brand mascots).
- Digital avatars can be used across various platforms without the logistical complexities of scheduling, location, or physical limitations.
- They can appear in any virtual setting, perform any imagined action, and interact in ways that captivate modern audiences.
- Avatars don’t age, meaning they can be a timeless face for a campaign or brand.
- An avatar can be programmed to speak multiple languages.
Of course, brands that work with an AI influencer must ensure they adhere to the specifications in influencer contracts. At the end of the day, AI influencer or not, you control how a brand uses your image.
AI Influencer or Not: Authenticity Matters!
Creating a digital version of yourself can help you make more money, grow your personal brand, appeal to international audiences, and save time. For some, it’s a no-brainer and the next logical career step. Yet, the decision comes with plenty of hesitation from others who want to keep human authenticity in their campaigns.
The decision of whether to create a digital avatar or not is 100% yours. Our future is incredibly digital, but if there’s one stand-out feature we know audiences are looking for, it’s authenticity.
MODERNSPEAK represents a roster of talented, authentic creators. If you’d like to learn more about how we can support you through your influencer career, don’t hesitate to email or call us at 1-403-991-4988.
