AI Influencers Are Taking Over Social Media
It’s crazy how quickly things are changing.
After making waves in fields like law and education, artificial intelligence is now eyeing a spot in the influencer scene. Enter Mia Zelu, a creation of AI that’s racked up over 150,000 followers on Instagram by posting captivating photos from tennis events and more.
In her recent posts, this remarkably lifelike digital star is spotted courtside at Wimbledon, enjoying a Pimm’s — a drink synonymous with the tournament. It almost seems surreal, right?
“We haven’t surpassed the event yet,” Zelu describes herself as a “digital storyteller.” She’s inviting followers to share their favorite Wimbledon match, which is an interesting touch.
Interestingly, while her images appear strikingly real, she also conveys an unexpected sense of authenticity. I mean, it’s not just about the pretty pictures.
“You know what you’re feeling? You’re okay while you’re gradually wearing out,” she offered in one post, encouraging people to remain positive even when things feel heavy. There’s a certain relatability there, I suppose, even if she is fabricated. She’s navigating these themes that many can relate to.
Zelu also claims a “sister” named Ana, who’s a brunette and has captured 266,000 followers by sharing equally eye-catching photos. It’s like there’s a whole AI family emerging.
Even though Zelu clearly identifies as AI on her profile, she’s garnered a slew of enthusiastic comments like “You look stunning” and “Will you marry me?” It’s funny, some people ask her about her skincare routine, but who knows how many of those were made in jest?
On a side note, fans have pointed out that Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant has liked several of her posts, leading to some speculation. “Does he think he’s chatting with a real person?” someone commented, quite hilariously suggesting someone ought to inform him about the truth behind the account.
Interestingly, Pant’s likes on Zelu’s posts have mysteriously vanished from Instagram, and it seems he hasn’t faced any backlash yet, from what I’ve seen.
Zelu is just one of many artificial influencers popping up nowadays. Last year, an AI named Alba Lenai went viral after being the first virtual host of a special segment on a Spanish reality show.
This rising trend of AI influencers might seem harmless, but it certainly brings its share of risks. It’s not just about playful interactions; there are serious implications. For instance, last year, a British woman fell victim to a romantic scam where someone used hyper-realistic AI-generated videos and swindled her out of over $20,000 while posing as a “US Colonel” on Tinder.
