Here is what you need to know about Ailice and the rise of AI-generated Instagram models
Influencers are the new celebrities, and Ailice (heyitsailice), a fully virtual IG model is slowly making its way to stardom! Created by Danny Postma, founder of profilepicture.AI, the virtual human managed to gain 5k followers in less than two months, suggesting that AI-generated models may soon take over the influencer scene. What will this mean for the future of influencer marketing?
As AI technology continues to improve, virtual models like Ailice could become a more popular tool for advertising. From its flawless skin to its perfect figure, Ailice and other AI-generated influencers might have great advantage over their human counterparts. But to what extent are these advantages actually exercisable, and when might they be counterproductive?
For one, AI-generated influencers can work around the clock without needing breaks or rest. They can also be designed to appeal to a specific demographic or audience, making them more effective in selling products to that group.
Additionally, virtual influencers like Ailice are not subject to the same controversies and scandals as human influencers. They do not have personal lives, so there is no risk of them making mistakes that could damage their reputation. This could make them more appealing to companies and brands who are looking for a safe and reliable way to advertise their products.
However, the developer of these influencers becomes subject to the above! By deliberately and carefully choosing the ethnicity and lifestyle of the virtual model, the creators will find much to answer to when it comes to why? What will sell, and what will be representative of the masses?
Other potential limitations to AI-generated influencers like Ailice is the lack of human touch and personal connection that many human influencers are able to cultivate with their followers. A consumer aware of the virtual nature of the Instagram model might not be swayed by the sale of products, as the demand for products rises based on their ability to meet certain needs.
What needs does a virtual model have, and what imperfections does it need to correct, as an already perfect being? This is the underlying question behind the problem of authenticity, and the backlash is already evident in the comment section under Ailice’s photos!
There are still ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI-generated influencers. It might be considered deceptive to use virtual models to sell products, as it creates an unrealistic standard of beauty that many people cannot achieve. Others worry that the rise of AI-generated influencers will lead to further job losses in industries like modeling and advertising.
The above might be true, and it might also make a parody of perfection. “Unrealistic beauty standards” apply to real human beings, and having AI that is perhaps too perfect might simply reaffirm that humanity does not need to look that way, but this will require high awareness on the consumer level.
In the end, it boils down to how developers and audiences approach this emerging trend. If we can appreciate AI-generated models for precisely their virtual nature, and real influencers for their human nature, we might maintain a productive need for both. Will this be possible, or will the backlash impede the trend’s success?
This is us signing off #SocialSpeak. Catch us next week for more interesting insights, updates and the latest buzz and trends happening in the Social Media world.
