Artificial intelligence is a powerful ally for selling products and boosting brands. Affiliate marketers should embrace these technologies, as it will become a dominant force in 2024, and by 2025 – a vital necessity. Without AI skills, you will be out of loop and even out of job. But no worries, we have something up our sleeve for you…
Have you ever wondered how some of the most popular bloggers on social media are not even real? They are AI-powered virtual influencers who are taking the world of marketing by storm with their unique appeal.
In this article, you will learn how these digital personas came to be, what makes them so attractive to brands and consumers and why this trend could be a golden opportunity for your income. Whether you want to create your own virtual influencer, buy ads from them or simply understand this emerging phenomenon, you will find valuable insights and tips in this article. You will also discover some of the challenges and opportunities that AI influencers pose for the future of marketing.
Don’t miss this chance to get ahead of the curve and learn how to make the most of this new trend. Buckle up and let’s go!
The Origins and Transformation of AI Influencers
What are virtual influencers? They are digital characters that are created using computer graphics and artificial intelligence, with their own realistic personalities, values and characteristics. They exist only online, but they can interact with their followers and influence their opinions and behaviours.
Although AI influencers have become more popular and sophisticated in recent years, thanks to the advances in technology and the rise of social media, they are not a new phenomenon.
The history of “unreal” influencers can be traced back to the 1930s, when a sculptor Lester Gaba created a realistic mannequin named Cynthia, who became a media sensation and a fashion icon.
In the 1980s, a computer-generated character named Max Headroom became a TV star and a cultural icon. In the 2000s, virtual music groups such as Gorillaz and Hatsune Miku gained worldwide fame and recognition.
However, the first virtual influencer who looked like a real human and had a social media presence was Lu do Magalu, created in 2003 by a Brazilian magazine company. Lu do Magalu started as a virtual sales associate, but soon became a celebrity with millions of followers across different platforms.
The technology development that enabled the creation and improvement of AI-powered influencers involved several aspects:
Computer graphics allowed the designers to create realistic and expressive digital characters, using techniques such as 3D modelling, rendering, animation and motion capture.
Artificial intelligence enabled the virtual influencers to have autonomous and adaptive behaviours, using methods such as natural language processing, computer vision, machine learning and deep learning.
Social media provided the platforms and the audiences for the virtual influencers to interact and engage with, using features such as live streaming, stories, comments and likes.
Such influencers are changing the game of marketing and entertainment, as they offer many benefits and opportunities for brands and consumers. They are also posing new challenges and ethical questions, as they blur the line between reality and fiction. Let’s explore the pros and cons of virtual influencers and how you can benefit from them.
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How AI Influencers Impact Marketing: Advantages and Disadvantages
The rise of AI influencers is a phenomenon that has been transforming the marketing landscape in recent years, as they can collaborate with brands and promote their products or services to their followers, just like human influencers do. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of using such influencers for marketing purposes? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of this emerging trend.
Pros of AI influencers:
Generational appeal. Virtual influencers can attract and connect with younger generations (Gen Z and millennials) who are more accustomed to digital and social media platforms. They can also reflect the values and interests of these generations, such as diversity, inclusivity and social causes.
Customization. AI influencers can be tailored for any brand and niche, as they can change their appearance, personality and style according to the campaign goals. They can also adapt to different languages, cultures and markets, making them more versatile and flexible than human influencers.
Cost-effectiveness. Digital characters can reduce costs and risks for brands, as they don’t require contracts, fees or travel expenses. Besides, it’s impossible for them to be involved in scandals or controversies that could damage the brand reputation. They can also produce more content in less time, increasing their efficiency and productivity.
Availability. AI personalities can be available 24/7, as they do not have schedules or limitations that could affect their performance. They can also respond to comments and messages from their followers, increasing their engagement and loyalty.
Effectiveness. Virtual influencers can be more effective than human influencers, as they can use AI tools to generate and optimise content, analyse data and measure results. They can also leverage the power of big data and machine learning to understand their audience and deliver personalised and relevant content.
Cons of AI influencers:
Authenticity. AI influencers may lack authenticity and trust, as consumers may perceive them as fake or manipulative and they may not be able to establish genuine relationships with their followers. They may also face criticism or backlash from human influencers or consumers who prefer real and organic content.
Ethics. Digital characters may face ethical and legal issues, such as privacy, consent, ownership and accountability, as they may use personal data, images or voices of real people without their permission or knowledge. They may also raise questions about the morality and responsibility of creating and using artificial beings for commercial purposes.
Humanity. Virtual influencers may not be able to totally replace human influencers, as they may not have the creativity, emotion or intuition that human influencers possess, as well as not be able to adapt to unexpected situations or feedback. They may also lack the human touch and connection that consumers seek and value in social media interactions.
Creating Your Own AI Influencer: Is It Worth It?
One of the main reasons why someone might want to create their own AI influencer is the potential to make money from brand collaborations, sponsorships and merchandise. But how much can your influencer actually earn? And what are the factors that affect their income?
AI Superstars: Success Stories
The answer is not straightforward, as different digital personas have different levels of popularity, engagement and niche appeal. However, we can get some insights by looking at the real cases of virtual bloggers on social media, their brand collabs and earnings.
Miquela
Lil Miquela is a fictional character, singer and social media personality who was created by Brud, a Los Angeles-based startup that specialises in artificial intelligence and robotics. She is a Brazilian-American girl who lives in LA and has interests in fashion, music, art and activism.
She has 2,6 million followers on Instagram, where she posts selfies, videos and stories of her life as a CGI influencer. On her YouTube channel with over 270.000 subscribers, she shares interviews, vlogs and music videos. Yes, believe it or not, but Miquela released several songs, such as “Money”, “Hard Feelings” and “Speak Up”, which are currently available on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms.
Lil Miquela collaborated with various brands like Prada, Calvin Klein, Samsung and Dazed Beauty to promote their products and campaigns. She was featured in several magazines, such as Vogue, Paper, V and Highsnobiety. In 2018, she even made it to Time’s list of “Most Influential People on the Internet”. According to Forbes, she earns between $8,500 and $10,000 per sponsored post on Instagram.
But Miquela was not the only AI influencer created by this startup. Bermuda and Blawko are two other CGI characters from Brud, who played supporting roles in Lil Miquela’s story. Bermuda started off as Miquela’s nemesis, who hacked her account and revealed her robotic nature. But they buried the hatchet and became friends. Blawko was Miquela’s ex-boyfriend, who dated her briefly.
Both of them were notorious for their controversial opinions and actions. Bermuda was known for her outspoken and sometimes offensive views on politics, culture and society, and Blawko – for his rebellious and irresponsible behaviour, such as using drugs, swearing and stirring up drama. Both of them have stopped posting on social media a long time ago and their followers are now redirected to Miquela’s projects.
Imma
Imma is a computer-generated model created by Tokyo-based company Aww Inc. and influencer with almost 400.000 followers on Instagram. She loves Japanese culture, art and fashion and often shares her daily life in Tokyo with her brother Zinn, who is also a virtual persona.
Imma collaborated with many global brands, such as Porsche Japan, Magnum ice cream, Tommy Jeans, Hugo Boss, Lenovo and IKEA. She also appeared on the cover of CG World magazine and was selected as one of the “New 100 Talent to Watch” by Japan Economics Entertainment.
In 2023, she launched Astral Body, a physical-digital hybrid fashion brand that combines real-world fashion with the digital realm. The brand offers both tangible and digital versions of its products, collaborates with international artists and releases NFTs and virtual offerings.
Imma’s earnings are not publicly disclosed, but some sources estimate that she can make $1 million per year, based on the average income of top influencers.
Shudu
Shudu is a digital supermodel and fashion icon who was created through artificial intelligence by Cameron-James Wilson, the founder of The Diigitals, the world’s first all-digital modelling agency.
She was inspired by a South African Princess Barbie and real-life models like Nykhor Paul and Duckie Thot. She has been called one of the most beautiful models and a pioneer of diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry on Instagram, where she has over 240.000 followers.
Shudu appeared on the covers of magazines like Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Her earnings are a well-kept secret, but given the caliber of the brands she has worked with, such as BMW, Louis Vuitton, Hyundai and Fenty Beauty, we can assume that she has made a pretty penny from her digital modelling career.
Kyra
Kyra Onig is a virtual model from Mumbai, who was created by FUTR Studios. She debuted on Instagram in January 2022 as India’s first meta influencer, meaning she is aware of her artificial nature and interacts with her followers as a digital persona. As of now, her fan base is more than 230.000 followers. She has a passion for travel, fashion, yoga and music and often posts reels and pictures of her global adventures, photoshoots and lifestyle.
She collaborated with several brands, such as Amazon Prime Video, boAt and John Jacobs and was featured on the digital cover of Travel and Leisure, India.
Biliate estimates that Kyra Onig earns a whopping $1,000 per sponsored post, but as her popularity and influence skyrocket, she could soon charge even more.
Emily
Emily Pellegrini is a 23-year-old virtual influencer who lives in Los Angeles and has over 245.000 followers on Instagram. Much like in the previous examples, she is not a real person, but a creation of artificial intelligence by an anonymous developer who designed her based on the “average man’s dream girl” description.
Emily’s realistic appearance and personality have captivated many fans, as well as celebrities, footballers, MMA fighters and billionaires who have tried to flirt with her or ask her out on dates.
She earns more than $10,000 per month through content sales, mainly on the Fanvue platform, which is known for its subscription-based content sharing.
Aitana Lopez
Aitana Lopez is an AI influencer, created as a project of The Clueless, a Spanish advertising agency that wanted to avoid the hassle of working with human models. She lives in Barcelona, loves music, fashion and travel and has over 265.000 followers on Instagram.
Aitana posts pictures of her daily life and outfits from such brands as Victoria’s Secret, Calzedonia, Oysho and Nike. She makes up to $11,000 a month from her sponsored posts and also offers exclusive content and chats to her fans on Fanvue, just like Emily.
These cases only prove that you don’t need to be real to become popular, as long as you have a talented team behind you and a captivating story to tell. But how do you create and promote an AI influencer from scratch? What are the tools and skills that you need to make your digital persona stand out and succeed? Let’s explore the technical and marketing aspects of creating an AI influencer.
The Essentials to Build Your AI Persona Pixel by Pixel
Launching your own AI influencer is not an easy task. It depends on several factors, such as the complexity of the AI, the level of interaction required, the extent of its digital footprint and the type of platform and content you want to use.
To create an AI influencer, you need the following software and technologies:
CGI software allows you to create computer-generated imagery (CGI) of your AI influencer, such as facial features, body shape, clothing, hair, etc. Some examples of CGI software are Maya, Blender and ZBrush. The prices of these software vary depending on the features and licences. For instance, while Maya and ZBrush charge $235 and $175 per month respectively, Blender is free and open source.
Motion-capturing technology lets you capture the movements and expressions of a human actor and transfer them to your AI influencer. This can make your AI influencer more realistic and dynamic. Some examples of motion-capturing technology are Rokoko, Perception Neuron and Xsens. The prices of these technology depend on the features and quality. For example, Rokoko’s Smartsuit Pro II costs $1,995, Perception Neuron’s Body Kit – $3,999 and Xsens’ MVN Animate Suit – around $12,000.
AI tools use artificial intelligence to generate, edit or enhance the content of your AI influencer, such as text, voice, video, etc. Some examples of AI tools are ChatGPT and Midjourney. ChatGPT is a free tool that allows you to create conversational AI agents. Midjourney is a tool that can create images from text descriptions, their pro plan costs only $60 a month.
Cloud computing services can help you store, access and manage your influencer’s data and content, as well as run your software and tools. Some examples of cloud computing services are IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
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To use these tools effectively, you need to have skills in programming, data science, computer vision, natural language processing and machine learning. These skills can help you design, develop and deploy your AI influencer’s software and content, as well as troubleshoot and optimise your performance and results.
To promote an AI influencer, you need to go through these stages and use the corresponding tools and skills:
Define your AI influencer’s role and identity. Decide what kind of character and function your influencer will have and choose a name and other basic information for them. Use persona creation tools, such as Personadeck, and creative writing skills to generate realistic and detailed personas.
Develop your AI influencer’s personality and background. Create and share the unique traits, values and goals of your influencer and their origin and history. Use personality assessment tools, such as 16Personalities or Crystal and storytelling platforms like Plot Factory or Storybird, to determine and describe your AI influencer’s personality and background. Use social media marketing skills to showcase them on the best platforms and formats.
Design your AI influencer’s content and communication style. Create and deliver the content that your influencer will share on social media platforms, such as videos, photos, captions, hashtags, etc. Define and implement the tone, voice and language that your AI influencer will use to communicate with their followers and partners. Use content creation tools, such as Canva or Lumen5, and AI tools, such as Grammarly or ChatGPT, to create and edit attractive and professional visuals and text for your AI influencer’s content and communication. Use influencer marketing skills to plan, create and distribute them effectively.
Grow your AI influencer’s network and revenue. Find and work with other content creators and brands that share your influencer’s niche, values and goals. Establish and maintain a loyal and engaged fan base for your AI influencer and generate revenue and value for yourself or your clients. Use collaboration platforms, such as Creator.co, and analytics tools like Google Analytics or Ahrefs to find and work with relevant and compatible partners and measure and improve your AI influencer’s performance and results. Use brand management skills to protect and enhance your AI influencer’s reputation, image and value.
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If you don’t want to create and manage your AI influencer on your own, you can outsource some or all of the tasks to a third-party service or agency. They will provide you with the necessary tools and expertise to create and manage your AI influencer for you. The cost of outsourcing these services can range from $6,000 to $300,000 per project, depending on the complexity and quality of your AI influencer.
Ways to Find the Best AI Influencers to Match Your Marketing Needs
Now that you know how to craft your own AI influencers with the help of some amazing tools and platforms, you might be wondering if there is an easier way to use those digital personas for your marketing campaigns. Well, there is: you can purchase ads from existing virtual bloggers.
Unlike real people, who have their own opinions, values and preferences, AI characters are fully controlled by their creators or managers. This means that you can shape them to fit your brand image and message plus avoid any potential difficulties caused by human factor. You will also have more flexibility and creativity in terms of the content they produce, as there are no physical or technical limitations for them.
However, finding and contacting AI influencers can be challenging, as they are not listed on the usual platforms that connect brands with human influencers, such as Grin, Influencity or Collabstr. Instead, you need to do your own research and reach out to them directly.
One way to do that is to use Virtual Humans, a website that offers a comprehensive catalogue of AI influencers from different genres, styles and backgrounds. You can browse through their profiles, see their social media accounts and learn about their stories, personalities and interests.
You can also check out their existing campaigns and collaborations with other brands and see how they create engaging and creative content for their followers. And if you want to contact their creators or managers, you can find their email addresses and websites on their profiles as well.
Another way to find AI influencers is to use search engines and social media platforms to look for keywords, hashtags and trends related to your niche and audience. For example, if you are a fashion brand, you can search for terms like #AIinfluencer, #virtualfashion, #digitalstyle or #cybercouture, and see which AI influencers are popular and relevant in that space. You can also follow the accounts of AI influencers who have a similar style, target market or message as your brand, and see who they interact with and recommend. This way, you can discover new and emerging AI influencers who might be a good fit for your brand.
The approximate budget for buying ads from AI influencers depends on several factors, such as the social media platform, the influencer’s reach and engagement, the type and frequency of content and the agency fees. According to the research by Business of Apps, the average cost of an influencer post can range from $50 to $100 per 1000 views, depending on the platform and the influencer category. However, this can vary widely depending on the specific influencer and the campaign objectives.
Note that these figures are based on the prices of human influencers and may not reflect the exact prices of virtual influencers, as they may have different rates and deals with brands or agencies. This is because the production costs and processes for virtual and human influencers are different. For human influencers, the costs may include hiring makeup artists, photographers, videographers, editors and other professionals to shoot and edit the campaign. For virtual influencers, the costs may include hiring 3D modellers, animators, programmers and other specialists to create and update the digital characters and their content. Depending on the quality, complexity and duration of the campaign, the costs for either type of influencer may be higher or lower.
Therefore, it is advisable to do your own research and compare the prices and performance of different virtual influencers before buying ads from them.
What Future Holds for Virtual Influencers?
The future of AI influencers is uncertain, but it is likely that they will continue to grow in popularity and influence in the digital marketing landscape. Some of the factors that could shape their future are:
Demand for authenticity and transparency. Digital characters may face challenges in establishing trust and credibility with their audiences, especially if they are not upfront about their artificial nature. Consumers may prefer human influencers who can offer genuine opinions and experiences and who can engage in meaningful interactions with their followers. On the other hand, AI influencers may also appeal to consumers who value novelty, creativity and diversity and who are willing to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the fantasy of following a virtual character.
Advancement of technology and regulation. AI bloggers may benefit from the improvement of technology that can make them more realistic, expressive and interactive. They may also use the power of data and analytics to create personalised and relevant content for their audiences. However, they may also face ethical and legal issues, such as protection of intellectual property, disclosure of sponsorship, prevention of fraud and deception, and the respect of human dignity and rights.
Competition and collaboration with human influencers. AI influencers may pose a threat to human influencers, as they can offer some advantages like lower costs, higher efficiency, greater control and fewer risks. They may also create new opportunities for human influencers, such as co-creating content, partnering with brands and expanding their reach. The future may see a hybrid model of influencer marketing, where AI and human influencers work together to achieve the best results.
Virtual influencers are not just a temporary trend, but a potential game-changer in the future of marketing. They may not replace human influencers, but they may complement and challenge them in different ways. It might become more affordable and accessible to buy such ads in the future, especially from micro AI influencers who can target niche markets and audiences. However, they may also face some limitations and risks that need to be addressed and regulated. That’s why we dare to assume that the future of AI influencers will depend on how they balance the benefits and drawbacks of being artificial as well as how they adapt to the changing needs and preferences of consumers and brands.
Conclusion
AI influencers are a new and exciting phenomenon in the digital marketing world. They have evolved from simple computer-generated images to complex and realistic personalities that can attract and engage audiences.
This article has shown you some practical tips and inspirational examples to help you create or collaborate with such influencers. Whether you want to build your own AI persona or work with existing ones, you can enjoy many benefits, such as authenticity, creativity, scalability and cost-effectiveness. This strategy may also help you connect with your target audience in a more engaging and personalised way.
Virtual bloggers are a fascinating and innovative way to connect with consumers and to create memorable and meaningful experiences. So what are you waiting for? Join the AI influencer revolution today and see the results for yourself!
