20-7-2023 (NEW YORK) In the realm of social media, the rise of CGI-generated virtual influencers has been nothing short of remarkable. These virtual personalities have been endorsing brands, living luxurious lifestyles, and amassing huge followings online. However, the latest twist in this ever-evolving landscape involves the convergence of influencer culture with the AI craze, introducing a new wave of AI-generated internet personalities that don’t actually exist.
With the advent of advanced AI-powered image generators like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, some individuals have taken to fabricating entire feeds of virtual influencers. These entities, predominantly portrayed as conventionally attractive women, create alluring and engaging content on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, attracting tens of thousands of seemingly human fans. The result is a fascinating journey into the uncanny valley, where the illusion of reality becomes surprisingly convincing.
Capturing picture-perfect moments against the backdrop of Santorini’s iconic white buildings. ????#ai #aiimagery #aiwomen #AIArtistCommunity #VirtualInfluencer #aiart #digitalart #aiphotography #aibeauty #aimodel #aigirls pic.twitter.com/74EZy9nGSt
— Milla Sofia (@AiModelMilla) July 16, 2023
One such virtual influencer, named “Milla Sofia,” has garnered significant attention. Described as a “19-year-old virtual girl from Helsinki, Finland,” she boasts a massive following across Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Her scantily-clad portraits in idyllic settings attract thousands of likes and comments, captivating her enthusiastic audience. Despite her virtual existence, Milla Sofia unabashedly proclaims her AI nature in her social media bios, leaving no room for ambiguity.
This trend isn’t limited to Milla Sofia alone. Numerous AI-generated influencers are surfacing, each with a sizable following on social media platforms. Alexis Ivyedge, Lu Xu, and Andrea are just a few examples of these virtual personalities, each with their unique appeal and tone. Some flirtatiously engage with their followers, while others share travel experiences and fashion aspirations, all constructed through the lens of artificial intelligence.
Stepping into #MiniSkirtMonday like…????????♀️ Joined the fab squad of fashionistas, including my sassy sister @JuliAnaAIGirl , for this style showdown! #blonde #Mondaymorning #Mondayvibes #beautifulgirls #cutegirlsonly pic.twitter.com/P627zUPCfr
— AlexisIvyedge (@AlexisIvyedge) July 17, 2023
The implications of this phenomenon are manifold. For users interacting with these accounts, the question arises: do they realize that these influencers are entirely virtual entities? The allure of such AI-generated influencers may stem from the fantastical allure of a glamorous lifestyle, even if it’s artificially constructed. But as AI-generated content proliferates, ethical concerns come into play. The AI models are often trained on publicly available visual data, raising issues of plagiarism and lack of credit for real-world influencers.
come on, dinner is served!”
(RT and Follow me <3)
I #AIグラビア #AIイラスト #AIgirl pic.twitter.com/AnekcmuxBq— Lu Xu I Ai Girl (@Ai_Luxu) July 17, 2023
Moreover, the monetization of virtual influencers remains ambiguous. While real-life influencers strike brand deals for product placements, it’s unclear how virtual influencers like Sofia could commercialize their persona. The intersection of AI and social media poses exciting possibilities, but it also raises ethical questions about authenticity and intellectual property.
