Fake influencers, real money: Inside the AI creator business
AI influencers attract followers, sell subscriptions, and land brand deals. Here’s how the business works — and why creators are pushing back.
Artificial intelligence is creating a new wave of virtual influencers who can attract brand deals without ever stepping in front of a camera. These AI characters, generated through deep learning platforms, are designed with specific faces, names, and social media personas. Companies and individuals create these digital personalities, often in the form of models, lifestyle creators, or comedians, and use them to promote products or services on social media.
The allure of AI influencers lies in their seemingly effortless nature. Users can generate an entire digital persona in just minutes, making it appear as though they have amassed millions of followers almost overnight. Some claim the process takes as little as five minutes, promising massive exposure with minimal effort.
Behind the scenes, a thriving ecosystem supports this burgeoning industry. AI platforms generate faces and voices, while agencies manage these fictional talents and sell courses on how to create them. Tools like Higgsfield’s Genjutsu and HeyGen enable users to create AI avatars that can perform movements and speak convincingly without any human input.
Despite the hype, some within the creator community are pushing back against the rise of AI influencers. They argue that the ease with which these digital personas can be created undermines the authenticity and hard work that goes into building a genuine following. As AI-generated content continues to gain popularity, the debate over the impact of these virtual personalities on the influencer landscape is sure to intensify.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.