What if the next big social media influencer isn’t a “real” person at all?
What if the next influencer you discover browsing Instagram looks like the kind of model who has it all: not a blemish on her seemingly perfect skin, style she makes look effortless, and captions so funny you can’t help but share them with your friends?
You decide to follow her. And it turns out the person on the other side of the screen isn’t a “person” at all: She’s AI. She never had a bad breakup, and she’s never made a controversial tweet in 2012. She’s the picture of perfection, and she never steps out of her brand. Welcome to the wild world of AI influencers—because they may not technically be real, but the money they make certainly is.
Table of Contents
Who Are AI Influencers?
AI influencers are fictional computer-generated characters, but ones that look, speak, and act like real people. Some are incredibly lifelike. Others veer into more cartoony or hyper-stylized territory.
One of the original AI Instagram stars, Lil Miquela, boasts an impressive follower count in the millions. She shills high-dollar fashion and music—and she isn’t real. And she’s not the only one. From AI fitness trainers, AI gamers, AI YouTubers, and anonymous creators, they’re starting to pop up everywhere.
Why Brands Are Betting Big
You’d think brands would definitely prefer women with emotions, women with sadness that immediately turns into strength, women who make mistakes and learn from them. Surprisingly, many do not. And here’s why:
AI Influencers don’t come with drama, nor do they sleep or get tired. They never take time off from the internet, either. It’s every brand’s dream. Every picture. Every word. Every caption. Everything is controlled.
There’s no need to worry about their hired human “brand ambassadors” posting something off-brand. In fact, virtual influencers are more like 24/7 promoters. Christmas? 3 am on Monday? No matter the time or circumstances, they can be in your clothes, with your products, on your page.
How the Money Flows
AI influencers make money, just like human influencers. They secure brand deals, sponsored posts, and digital appearances. In fact, powerhouse brands such as Prada, Samsung, and Christian Dior have already worked with their virtual counterparts. And for good reason—often engagement is even higher.
Humans just can’t help being intrigued. We can’t help but engage. Some companies are taking it to the next level, choosing to create their own AI influencer from scratch. This way, they maintain control and own the entire process.
Enter kupid.ai. The company creates emotionally intelligent virtual characters, designed to connect with users on a more emotional level. Kupid’s AI models are not just another pretty photo. They are conversational, responsive, and able to adapt and change over time.
No longer is it enough to be aesthetically pleasing. Now, interaction, experience, and engagement are all part of the story.
Real Engagement from Fake People?
And you may be like: “Why in the world would anyone want to engage with someone who doesn’t exist?” And the truth is, they feel real. An AI influencer shares this relatable anecdote of their morning. They meme. They talk about feeling burnt out. They share their favourite song of the month. They interact with your comments. And they are doing it with a strong sense of emotional connection (even if it is completely made-up).
This is where the real magic happens. People follow stories and people, not pixels. It’s also why we read books. Or watch movies. When the content is emotionally resonant and enjoyable, the line between symbiotic and real starts to get exciting.
The Rise of Virtual Brand Ambassadors
And now, even more businesses are tapping into the promise of partnering with AI influencers to represent the core values of their company in digital realms (i.e., media, games, and the metaverse). Brands can have an influencer who speaks the language, resonates with the lifestyle, and embodies the brand messaging more genuinely than many human influencers.
Looking for a Gen Z influencer who is interested in sustainable fashion and likes anime? Craft one. Want to hire a luxury model who only wears designer brands? You guessed it. The options are endless—and the scalability? Immeasurable. Instead of having to manage over a dozen influencers, companies can work with one or two influencers who have a client base worldwide.
But What About Ethics?
Let’s be real. Not everything is black and white. Anxiety about transparency is increasing. When should the audience or shouldn’t be informed that they are dealing with an AI?. Are brands being honest about it?. How does this whole AI thing affect creatives and human influencers around the world as the field gets bigger?
There is also the anxiety of perfection. How these seemingly flawless and beautiful beings might change body symptoms, mental health, or societal expectations. Yet, many creators and platforms are calling for some sort of guide. Disclosure, ethics, and balance will help to significantly shape the future of this industry.
So, Is This the Future?
It’s already here, in many ways. AI influencers are changing the way marketing works and the way we define what it means to be “influential.” They’re cheap, they’re efficient, and they’re infinitely malleable. Maybe we don’t want to acknowledge them as such, but they’ll soon be as much a part of the digital landscape as anything else.
And if companies like Kupid.ai have anything to say about it, the future will be filled with AI stars who don’t simply advertise products—they form authentic emotional connections. It’s all fake, except for the money, but the money is real. The AI influencer is upending the space. They’re changing the way we approach connection, communication, advertising, and influence.
Whether you’re a business looking to expand your online presence or some rando on your lunch hour, scrolling aimlessly, just know—don’t be surprised if your new favorite influencer is all zeros and ones. Because, in a universe of likes, and shares, and perfected, filtered existence, maybe being fake is the best play of all.
