The Decibel Your new favourite influencer? She’s AI-generated
Jul 11, 2025
Samantha Edwards, an online culture reporter for The Globe, dives into the intriguing world of AI-generated influencers. She discusses how virtual personas like Itana Lopez are reshaping the landscape of social media. Topics include the blurred lines between authenticity and artificiality, the challenges of distinguishing real users from AI creations, and the ethical dilemmas that arise from this evolution. Samantha also highlights the financial advantages and marketing control these digital influencers provide, raising questions about their impact on human influencers.
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Aitana: AI Influencer Example
- Aitana Lopez is a virtual influencer with AI-generated photos managed by a human team.
- She's created by a Barcelona design agency, presenting as a human lifestyle influencer.
Transparency in AI Influencers Lacking
- There are no strict rules forcing AI influencers to clearly state they are synthetic.
- Some posts disclose AI creation, but many do not, making it often unclear to casual scrollers.
Virtual Influencers Proliferate
- Tens of thousands of virtual influencers exist across platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
- They vary in realism with some appearing indistinguishable from humans, others clearly AI-made.