AI Influencer Aitana Earns $15,000 Monthly on Instagram

AI Influencer Aitana Earns $15,000 Monthly on Instagram

theglobeandmail.com

AI Influencer Aitana Earns $15,000 Monthly on Instagram

The Barcelona-based agency, The Clueless, created Aitana, an AI influencer with 342,000 Instagram followers, generating up to $15,000 monthly from brand deals, raising questions about authenticity in social media.

English
Canada
TechnologyEntertainmentArtificial IntelligenceSocial Media MarketingAuthenticityAi InfluencersVirtual Influencers
The Clueless AigencySonyAww Inc.Calvin KleinPradaSamsungPumaCoachTiktokInstagramTwicsy
Aitana LopezAlexia PutellasSofia NovalesLil MiquelaLiaTakayuki MoriyaSara GiustoSteve AokiCameron-James WilsonBrooke Erin Duffy
What is the impact of AI-driven influencers like Aitana on the influencer marketing industry, and what are the implications for brands and consumers?
The Barcelona-based agency, The Clueless, created Aitana, an AI influencer with 342,000 Instagram followers, generating up to \$15,000 monthly from brand deals. Her persona, meticulously crafted via market research, includes gaming, anime-inspired pink hair, and a carefully curated lifestyle. This demonstrates the growing use of AI in influencer marketing, blurring lines between genuine and artificial personalities.
How does the creation and management of AI influencers like Aitana challenge traditional notions of authenticity and influencer-audience relationships?
Aitana's success highlights the potential of AI-driven influencer marketing to circumvent the costs associated with human influencers. The agency leveraged market trends to create Aitana's persona, showcasing the effectiveness of data-driven approaches in constructing appealing online identities. This strategy contrasts with the authenticity often emphasized by human influencers.
What are the potential ethical and societal implications of using AI to create and manage online personalities, particularly concerning issues like consent, representation, and the potential for manipulation?
The rapid advancements in AI technology and the lack of clear labeling guidelines for AI-generated content raise concerns about authenticity and potential ethical implications. The shutdown of Aitana's chatbot due to unexpected and inappropriate responses illustrates the challenges involved in managing and controlling AI personalities, underscoring the need for robust regulatory frameworks in this space. Moreover, the potential for misuse, such as minimizing the impact of real-world trauma, as seen with Lil Miquela, requires careful consideration.

Cognitive Concepts

3/5

Framing Bias

The article's framing emphasizes the success and potential of AI influencers, highlighting their profitability and increasing popularity. While acknowledging controversies, the overall tone leans towards presenting AI influencers as a viable and potentially disruptive force in the industry, rather than offering a balanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks. The headline and introduction set this tone.

2/5

Language Bias

The language used is generally neutral, but terms like 'uncanny valley' and 'dystopian' subtly carry negative connotations when discussing certain aspects of AI influencers. Describing AI interactions as 'jarringly earnest' also suggests a degree of artificiality and potential manipulation. More neutral alternatives could be used for a more objective tone.

3/5

Bias by Omission

The article focuses heavily on the rise of AI influencers and their impact on the social media landscape, but it omits discussion on the ethical considerations of using AI-generated imagery in advertising and marketing, and the potential for misuse or manipulation. While it mentions some controversies, a deeper exploration of the potential negative consequences for consumers and society is lacking.

2/5

False Dichotomy

The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the debate as solely between 'authentic' human influencers and 'artificial' AI influencers. It overlooks the possibility of hybrid models or more nuanced approaches to influencer marketing that incorporate AI technology in ethical and transparent ways.

2/5

Gender Bias

The article mentions several female AI influencers (Aitana, Lil Miquela, Lia) and discusses their appearances and lifestyles in detail. While not explicitly biased, the focus on physical attributes and lifestyle details might perpetuate superficial standards associated with female influencers, which should be explored further.

Sustainable Development Goals

Reduced Inequality Negative
Indirect Relevance

The rise of AI influencers raises concerns about economic inequality in the influencer marketing industry. AI influencers can work for lower costs than human influencers, potentially displacing human workers and widening the gap between those who own the AI technology and those who are displaced by it. The article mentions that human influencers earn 46 times more than AI personas, highlighting this disparity.