AI influencers are booming on Instagram and even Twitch. Hundreds of thousands of people follow them; young people in particular seem indifferent to whether the influencers are real – the money they earn, however, is real.
What kind of model is this? Aitana is a 25-year-old from Barcelona, known for her pink hair. She has nearly 330,000 followers on Instagram and regularly receives messages from people who want to date her.
But Aitana is not real: She was created by artificial intelligence. The same applies to the Instagram influencer Milla Sofia: A 24-year-old on Instagram delights thousands of fans, yet she is not real.
AI influencers should not be confused with Vtubers, as there is a real person behind the virtual avatar:
Agency had enough of real models and influencers
What is the story behind it? Behind Aitana is designer Rubén Cruz with his agency The Clueless. He created AI models because their human counterparts were apparently too unpredictable: “Many projects were put on hold or canceled due to problems beyond our control. Often it was the fault of the influencers or models […],” Cruz explains to Euronews.
With AI models, these problems do not exist: “We did it to earn a better living without relying on other people with egos and whims[…]”
Aitana is one of 3 AI models currently featured on the website of The Clueless, all with well-developed personalities.
There is also platinum blonde Maia Lima, characterized by her “shyness and purity” and whose “loving nature manifests in her bisexual orientation,” as well as singer-songwriter Lia Z., who is said to have been the first AI artist to receive a record deal.
According to Cruz, Aitana alone earned up to 10,000 euros per month at the time of the interview with Euronews, though the average is more like 3,000 euros. Each advertising post is said to generate just over 1,000 euros. Images of the model in lingerie are also posted on Fanvue, a site similar to OnlyFans.
Meanwhile, her followers have tripled, so it is quite possible that she is now bringing in even more money.
AI influencers lead a whole virtual life
This is how AI influencers work: Behind Aitana is a whole team that plans her digital life in weekly meetings: What will she do, where will she travel, what photos will be posted?
Cruz explains that they quickly understood that people “follow lives, not images.” Aitana is therefore completely designed: “We created her based on what society likes best,” says her creator. “We thought about the preferences, hobbies, and niches that have been trending in recent years.”
Diana Núñez, the co-founder of The Clueless, revealed to Fortune that it took several months before they “hit the jackpot” with Aitana. “We accidentally created a monster,” Núñez jokes. “But a pretty one.”
AI influencers attract brands and young people
Why are AI models so attractive? For companies, AI influencers are appealing: They have no star pretensions, no dark past, no scandals that could come to light. They can be precisely tailored to the needs and image of the brand. Moreover, they always look perfect and never age unless desired otherwise.
This was already noted by Baek Seung Yeo, the creator of the virtual influencer Rozy.
Particularly convenient for companies: It seems that young people no longer find it so important whether influencers are authentic – or real.
According to a survey by Sprout Social, a social media management platform, consumers primarily follow influencers who align with their personal values and are perceived as authentic – with the exception of Gen Z.
According to the survey, those born between 1997 and 2012 place particular value on the number of followers of influencers, unlike previous generations. Only 35% care about authenticity. 46% even stated that they have more interest in a brand if it collaborates with an AI influencer.
AI has also made its way into Twitch – albeit with some teething problems: Viewers coax terrible remarks from AI streamer on Twitch – Now Neuro-sama is banned
However, AI influencers are far from over. This will particularly please those who admire models like Aitana, as it should soon be possible to have relationships with AI. Twitch streamer Asmongold has seen the future – believes AI girlfriends will be a “trillion-dollar business”
