Influencers have been important on social media for years. They set trends and help their followers decide what to buy through their posts, creating an industry worth over $20 billion. Now, a new type of influencer is rising; the AI influencer.
Now you might be wondering what is AI influencer, then you should know one well-known AI influencer is Lil Miquela. She has appeared in ads for brands like Chanel and Givenchy.
AI influencers are changing how content is made and shared. With millions of followers, they help brands connect with audiences in a crowded social media environment. This blog will help dive deeper into the topic and explain the benefits as well as the drawbacks of AI influencers. So, let’s start with knowing what is AI influencer first.
What Are AI Influencers and How Do They Work?
AI influencers, or virtual influencers, are computer-made characters that promote products on social media. If you’re wondering what is AI influencer in simple terms, they are digital figures created with special effects and technology, acting like real people online, and giving marketers a new way to reach customers.
Each AI influencer is different; some are created using basic image tools, while others use more advanced technology. Some AI influencers can interact with their followers in real-time and learn from those conversations, while others have humans write their posts.
When discussing what is AI influencer, it is important to note their similarity to human influencers. They create a character that people and brands can relate to, with shared values, goals, and humor. They build trust by regularly sharing a lot of content across different social media platforms. The best influencers have teams that help them come up with ideas and ensure their success, and then everyone gets paid.
AI influencers act like a mix between a spokesperson and a mascot, promoting products on their own accounts or through brand ads. Brands are also making their own AI influencers, allowing them to control how these digital characters look, act, and sound. Now let’s move on and explore the benefits of AI influencers.
Also Read: 14 Best Ideas to Use AI Marketing Bot for Your Business
Benefits of AI Influencers
AI influencers are using new technology and interesting storytelling methods, making influencer marketing more flexible, creative, and affordable. Here are some perks of AI influencers to help you understand what is AI influencer better.
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Give Brands More Creative Freedom
When thinking about what is AI influencer, it’s fascinating to see how they can be changed easily. They are not restricted by time, space, or physical laws. Their creators can design them to look and act in any way they wish, making changes quickly with simple code.
Miquela, for instance, can be anywhere at any time. She can be in five places at once, talk to people in different languages, and switch between fantasy and reality easily.
This adaptability lets brands be more creative with how they advertise their products and explore new possibilities.
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Give Brands More Control Over Messages
Because AI influencers can be tailored, brands have more control over what they say and do. If you’re curious about what is AI influencer and how they differ from humans, remember that they don’t have personal feelings or ideas. Human influencers have their own feelings, which can lead them to create content that doesn’t match a brand’s goals. AI influencers only say and do what they are programmed to, and mistakes can be fixed easily.
Social media platforms are making this easier. For example, TikTok allows brands to create ads using AI-generated influencers, offering both set characters and ones that can be customized in different languages.
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Cost Less Than Human Influencers
To understand what is AI influencer in terms of cost, it helps to compare them to human influencers. AI influencers usually cost less than human ones with a similar number of followers. A human influencer with over a million followers might charge over $250,000 for a post, according to a 2024 Harvard Business Review report, while Lil Miquela charges about $9,000. Ultimately, the cost depends on the influencer’s popularity and the specific project.
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Are Easier to Scale
If you’re still asking what is AI influencer, it’s essential to note how easily brands can create many virtual influencers for different groups and markets. These influencers can produce content and interact with followers anytime, unlike human influencers.
As we all know, there are no labor laws and no limits on their working hours. As a result, the content can be created much more quickly, and you may receive exactly what you want from an AI influencer because they do not have their own thoughts. It just requires changing the code without needing to work with a human.
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Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Social media is filled with content and for brands to get noticed, they need to be creative, and using AI influencers is one way to do this. When discussing what is AI influencer, we can see how they help create connections in new ways, tell different stories, and guide customers.
Research supports this approach. A study found that people were just as likely to follow an AI influencer as a human one. It also showed that consumers talked more about AI influencers, making them effective for brands.
Now that you understand the advantages, let’s read the next section and explore the disadvantages of AI influencers.
Drawbacks of AI Influencers
Many people want realness, especially younger users. Understanding what is AI influencer is also means addressing their ethical concerns. AI influencers may seem fake, which can lead to various challenges.
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Lack the Human Experience
When exploring what is AI influencer, it’s clear they can’t truly understand life experiences. Young people often look to influencers for advice on various topics, but AI influencers, who are just code, can’t offer genuine advice, making them seem shallow and not trustworthy.
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Are Harder for Consumers to Trust
What is AI influencer if not a digital creation? Many people struggle to tell if an influencer is real or virtual. Some virtual influencers are clear about being digital, but many look very real, which can cause confusion. It’s important to label AI-generated content to build trust and prevent misinformation. New laws are requiring clear disclosure of AI content.
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May Objectify Women and People of Color
When considering what is AI influencer, it’s important to address their representation. Many popular AI influencers are young, slim, and female, which can reinforce negative stereotypes and impractical beauty standards. Concerns are especially significant for women of color, as some AI influencers are modeled after them in ways that reinforce negative views.
AI influencers are here to stay, and knowing about them would be beneficial. So that was the information about what is AI influencer. As we approach to the end of this blog, we recommend that you check out our other posts, especially if you enjoyed this one.
