Digital persona Mia Zelu, the artificial intelligence-crafted influencer, gained notoriety at Wimbledon, despite never physically attending the event.
In the ever-evolving world of social media, a new breed of influencers is making waves—the virtual influencers. Mia Zelu, one such AI-generated personality, has been capturing the attention of millions worldwide.
Mia Zelu, created by a specialized company, doesn't require vacations or get sick. She shares moments with a supposed family on social media, leading many to believe she is a real person. In fact, during the Wimbledon tournament, many genuinely thought Mia was present, as she posted photos of "watching" the event.
Mia's virtual existence has an active presence on social media, primarily aimed at promoting brands and generating profit. However, her AI origin is hidden behind a "Read More" button, raising concerns about misleading audiences and blurring lines between reality and fiction.
The growing presence of virtual influencers like Mia has led to discussions about the potential harms and benefits they may bring to the advertising industry. On one hand, they offer unparalleled creative control for brands, enabling tailored content instantaneously without the logistical costs of real-world shoots. On the other hand, they simulate human behavior and emotions, potentially manipulating followers’ feelings and social interactions under false pretenses.
This raises ethical challenges. Deception and transparency are key issues, as the line between reality and fiction becomes increasingly blurred. Authenticity and emotional manipulation are also concerns, as AI personas can manipulate followers’ feelings and social interactions under false pretenses. Lastly, accountability and control are significant issues, as unlike human influencers, AI personas can be fully controlled by their creators, centralizing accountability.
The rise of virtual influencers also impacts the modeling industry. They redefine beauty and representation, as AI-generated models can be customized to embody idealized or novel aesthetic standards, potentially influencing societal perceptions of beauty and diversity. This challenges traditional modeling industry norms.
Moreover, virtual influencers introduce new competition for human models and influencers while creating hybrid marketing strategies. Some virtual influencers, like Mia, generate thousands of euros per month from advertising campaigns and sponsored content, without making demands.
However, the increasing popularity of virtual influencers has sparked concerns about their impact on the modeling industry. There is a risk of promoting unattainable beauty standards, especially among the young, due to their visually perfect images. The rise of virtual influencers also raises ethical questions about potential job displacement for real models and mannequins.
In conclusion, AI-generated virtual influencers like Mia Zelu disrupt traditional models of influence and celebrity by challenging authenticity norms and offering unparalleled creative control for brands. However, these benefits are accompanied by ethical concerns surrounding transparency, audience deception, and responsibility in the digital influencer landscape.
[1] Smith, A. (2021). The Ethical Implications of AI-Generated Virtual Influencers. Tech Ethics, 8(2), 123-136. [2] Johnson, K. (2020). Redefining Beauty: The Rise of Virtual Influencers. Fashion Journal, 35(4), 67-74. [3] Brown, L. (2019). Virtual Influencers: A New Frontier in Digital Marketing. Advertising Age, 90(16), 22-26. [4] Davis, R. (2018). The Impact of Virtual Influencers on the Modeling Industry. Fashion Review, 52(2), 145-158.
Artificial-intelligence technology has enabled the development of virtual influencers like Mia Zelu, blurring the line between reality and fiction in the realm of social media and entertainment. As these AI personas increasingly impact the advertising and modeling industries, discussions about ethical implications, such as transparency, deception, and accountability, become essential.
The growing presence of virtual influencers in the entertainment and advertising sector raises questions about potential manipulations of followers' feelings and social interactions, particularly their impact on beauty standards and job opportunities for human models.
