by By Emma Wright-Cloutier
If you’ve spent time on Instagram or TikTok recently, you might have come across Lil Miquela, a computer-generated influencer with millions of followers. At first, she seems like any other trendy, relatable influencer—posting selfies, engaging with fans, and even releasing music. But Lil Miquela isn’t human, and her rise has sparked a huge conversation about the future of social media and content creation. As someone spending way too much time on TikTok, I find this trend fascinating but honestly, a little weird.
What Are AI-Generated Influencers?
AI influencers, like Lil Miquela and Shudu Gram (a virtual supermodel), are created by teams of designers and programmers. They’re digital avatars controlled by humans behind the scenes. These creators use AI and 3D modeling to give these virtual influencers unique personalities and stories, making them feel just as relatable as their human counterparts. They can promote brands, share messages, and even collaborate with celebrities—but all within a controlled, curated environment. Still, knowing they’re not real makes it hard for me to fully buy into their content.
Why Are Brands Investing in AI Influencers?
One reason is control. Unlike human influencers, AI influencers don’t have personal scandals or unpredictable behavior. Brands can completely script their content and ensure a consistent image. Plus, these influencers are often cheaper to work with long-term since there’s no need for contracts, travel, or physical production costs.
Another reason is the novelty factor. AI influencers stand out in a crowded market, grabbing attention simply because they’re different. For younger audiences, who are used to digital innovation, this can feel exciting and cutting-edge. Personally, I think the novelty might wear off pretty quickly. I follow influencers because I relate to their real lives, not because they’re flawless.
The Ethical Questions
While AI influencers are kind of cool, they also raise some big questions. For one, there’s the issue of authenticity. Social media thrives on real connections, and knowing an influencer isn’t a real person could make their content feel less genuine. How can an AI influencer give meaningful advice or truly connect with followers when they’re programmed to say what their creators want?
Then there’s the question of transparency. Not everyone realizes that AI influencers aren’t real. If people think they’re interacting with a real person, is that misleading? Some argue that brands and creators have a responsibility to be upfront about the nature of these digital characters. Personally, I feel like it’s weirdly deceptive if it’s not super obvious that they’re fake.
The Impact on Human Influencers
AI influencers also bring up concerns for human content creators. If brands can turn to AI for perfectly polished influencers, what happens to human creators? While some argue that AI influencers won’t replace humans because they lack genuine emotion and experience, others worry that they could take away opportunities, especially in industries like fashion and beauty. As someone who prefers following real influencers with relatable struggles and messy moments, I’d hate to see them get pushed out by something that’s essentially a glorified cartoon.
Looking Ahead
AI influencers are still pretty new, and it’s hard to say what their long-term impact will be. They’re definitely pushing boundaries and forcing us to rethink what it means to be an influencer. For now, they seem to work best when paired with human influencers to create campaigns that mix creativity with relatability.
As someone diving into social media strategies, I’m curious to see how this trend evolves. Will people get tired of AI influencers? Or will they become a normal part of the digital media landscape? Either way, I think the rise of AI influencers highlights how fast technology is changing the way we connect online. Still, I’ll probably stick to following humans—they’re just more real to me.
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