Aitana Lopez, known as an influencer, claims to earn up to $11,000 monthly. She travels frequently, moving between New York City and her home in Catalonia, Spain, while promoting her beauty brand and posting various lifestyle content.
However, you won’t find her waiting in a first-class airport lounge. Aitana is actually a creation of artificial intelligence, complete with a crafted backstory and personality.
Alongside AI entities like “singer” Solomon Ray and the tennis tournament figure Mia Zell, Aitana represents a new category of digitally generated avatars competing for attention online, despite their absence in the physical world.
“I used to run campaigns with human influencers,” Andrea Garcia, Creative Director at AI Agency, shared. “This is a different ballgame. When you work with humans, there are limitations; you can’t just redo a photo at will. AI streamlines the process.” After all, an AI is always available, never late, and free of the scandals that often afflict human celebrities.
Many high-profile brands, including Amazon, Calvin Klein, and Samsung, are already using AI influencers like Aitana to create promotional content.
Garcia emphasized the extensive investment of time and resources in developing Aitana. “We programmed her background, interests, and even her childhood,” she explained. “For example, her favorite food is pizza, and her first concert was an orchestra.”
Though Aitana may appear lifelike, the production of her photos and videos marries both human creativity and technological prowess. Come December, she’s set to offer five-minute chats with fans—though these won’t be free.
Garcia feels protective over Aitana, likening her to a close friend or even a daughter. “These digital personalities are akin to comic book characters and superheroes. No one questions their existence. So, what’s the concern?” she posed.
In the music arena, AI artists are gaining traction regardless of public perception. For instance, Solomon Ray is a top artist on Billboard’s gospel chart with his song “Find Your Rest,” boasting significant monthly listeners on Spotify. While some critics express discomfort over AI’s presence in music—arguing it lacks authentic human emotion—fans seem uninterested in these debates.
The lines between reality and AI blur further, as exemplified by Mia Zell, who gained popularity for her realistic social media presence even though she wasn’t actually at events like Wimbledon. Often described as a “digital storyteller,” her posts include personal touches, leading some to question the nature of her persona.
Another AI influencer, Lil Miquela, faced significant backlash after sharing a fabricated leukemia diagnosis, which many believed trivialized real human suffering. Despite the criticism, some argue that the project aimed to promote awareness for an important cause.
Hollywood’s advancements in CGI have played a vital role in crafting these AI personalities, although some creations have drawn ire. The discussion surrounding Tilly Norwood, an AI character introduced at a festival, highlighted potential threats to human relationships in the industry.
While some creators see AI as simply another form of storytelling, others feel a need to voice their concerns. Madeline Salazar, a human content creator, sees the fear surrounding AI actors as disproportionate, noting, “I think AI is more akin to animation than any real threat.” Her conversation with Aitana revealed a playful rivalry, as Aitana quipped about potential “revenge glitches” if hampered.
