AI influencers are booming on Instagram and even Twitch. Hundreds of thousands of people follow them, and younger people in particular don’t seem to care whether the influencers are real – but the money they earn is real.
What kind of model is that? Aitana is a 25-year-old from Barcelona whose trademark is her pink hair. She has almost 330,000 followers on Instagram and regularly receives messages from people who want to go out with her. But Aitana is not real: she was created by artificial intelligence.
A 24-year-old on Instagram inspires thousands of fans, but she’s not real at all.
AI influencers should not be confused with Vtubers, because there is a real person behind the virtual avatar:
VTuber – what are they & where do they come from?
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Agency had enough of real models and influencers
What’s behind it? Behind Aitana is the designer Rubén Cruz and his agency The Clueless. He created the 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 influencer or model’s fault […]“, explains Cruz to Euronews.
With AI models, these problems don’t exist: “We did it to make a better living without relying on other people who have egos and manias[…]“
Aitana is one of 3 AI models currently featured on The Clueless website, all with fleshed out personalities.
There is the platinum blonde Maia Lima, who is characterized by “shyness and purity” and whose “loving nature is manifested in her bisexual orientation,” and the singer-songwriter Lia Z., who was the first AI artist to receive a record deal should.
According to Cruz, Aitana alone was earning up to 10,000 euros per month at the time of the conversation with Euronews, although the average is said to be closer to 3,000 euros. There should be a little over 1,000 euros per advertising post. Pictures of the model in lingerie are posted on Fanvue, a site similar to OnlyFans.
Her followers have now tripled, so it could well be that she is now bringing in even more money.
AI influencers lead entire virtual lives
This is how AI influencers work: There’s a whole team behind Aitana who plans out her digital life in weekly meetings: What will she do, where will she travel, which photos will be posted?
Cruz explains that they quickly understood that people “follow lives, not pictures.” Aitana is therefore completely designed: “We created her based on what society likes best,” says its creator. “We thought about the preferences, hobbies and niches that have been trending in recent years.”
Diana Núñez, co-founder of The Clueless, told Fortune that it took a few months before they “hit the jackpot” with Aitana. “We accidentally created a monster,” jokes Núñez. “But a pretty one.”
AI influencers are attractive to brands and young people
Why are AI models so attractive? AI influencers are attractive for companies: They have no star appeal, no dark past, no scandals that could come to light. They can be tailored precisely to the needs and image of the brand. Plus, they always look perfect and never get old unless requested otherwise.
Baek Seung Yeo, the creator of the virtual influencer Rozy, also recognized this.
Particularly practical for companies: Younger people in particular no longer seem to care so much 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 GenZ.
According to the survey, those born between 1997 and 2012 attach particular importance to the number of followers of influencers, in contrast to previous generations. Only 35% care about authenticity. 46% even said they would be more interested in a brand if it worked with an AI influencer.
AI has also long since found its way onto Twitch – albeit with a few teething problems: Viewers elicit terrible statements from AI streamers on Twitch – Now Neuro-sama is banned
However, AI influencers are far from over. This should particularly please those who adore models like Aitana, because in the not too distant future it will be possible to have relationships with AI. Twitch streamer Asmongold has seen the future – believes AI girlfriends will be a “trillion-dollar business”