• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

There was a time when calling social media "not real" meant photoshopped pics and carefully constructed lives. Nowadays, that description has a more literal meaning—thanks to the rise of AI influencers, digital celebrities who exist solely online.

They are not masked people or costumed humans. They are total computer-generated characters constructed to behave like human beings. Some have acquired millions of fans, collaborate with top global brands, and earn substantial amounts—often matching or surpassing their human equivalents.

ALSO READ: Garena Free Fire MAX Redeem Codes For Today, 12 July 2025: Free Gifts Await! Get Skins, Weapons, Diamonds And More Now

What Is an AI Influencer?

A virtual influencer or an AI Influencer refers to a computer-generated person designed to interact with social media followers. Both have a distinct personality, look, and voice built to gain and hold followers, as with any traditional influencer.

Even when they carry the AI label, influencers are typically maintained by human operators working behind the scenes. A team will take care of posting their content, control their "personality", and edit content—essentially scripting their online life.

Their appeal lies not just in novelty but also in affordability and dependability. When human influencers can cost tens of thousands for every campaign, brands are looking for virtual replacements that generate quality interaction without questionable schedules or brand risks.

Building an AI Instagram Model

There are largely two methods of constructing an AI influencer:

1. Generating Visuals with AI Tools

You might design the influencer's look using AI-based image creation tools. It typically entails typing out elaborate prompts—defining the character's age, ethnicity, hairstyle, attire, and environment—to create realistic pictures. With your digital avatar in hand, software with tools such as identity locking ensures visual continuity across multiple images.

2. AI-Assisted Captioning

For subtitles, AI can be utilized to craft interesting post descriptions that suit the personality or brand of the influencer. You typically provide a description of the photo or purpose of the post and then refine the AI-generated text to your voice.

These two strategies combined allow for complete content creation—images and words—so that it's easier and faster to manage influencer accounts that look real despite the fact that the person behind them is constructed.

Ethics and the Illusion of Authenticity

As these virtual personas gain influence, they also pose great questions regarding ethics and truth. Unlike real people, virtual influencers don't live life, feel emotions, or share personal opinions. Their narratives are entirely fictional, often built for promotion.

That's where it gets murky. Fans may believe that they are talking to a person who cares about the products or causes that they promote—when in reality it is a computer-driven puppet designed to sell. That can erode trust and reinforce unrealistic expectations of beauty and lifestyle, most particularly among youth consumers.

There is also fear of misinformation. Since virtual influencers have not tried out products or services personally, their endorsement cannot be genuine. This could lead to misinformation or false content served in the form of friendly guidance.

Why Transparency Matters

In order to address these ethical concerns, transparency is paramount. Audiences need to be overtly informed if they're talking to AI-generated personas. Being transparent that an influencer is not a human individual helps determine the right expectations and create a sense of trust.

ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Pro And iPhone 17 Pro Max: Will We Get To See 8K Video Recording This Time?

Of no lesser importance is holding AI influencers to ethical standards. Authors of those influencers have a duty to ensure content is responsible, accurate, and avoids promoting products or messages to which the influencer cannot reasonably commit.

As AI influencers increase, platforms and brands will have to develop good policies and guidelines for maintaining trust and being responsible. With proper checks and transparency, virtual influencers can be a very powerful tool in online marketing—without losing sight of the human aspect on which social media was founded.