Social media marketing never stops spinning and evolving. Now, the new faces in digital promotion are the AI influencers. Brands once reliant on celebrity endorsements for the purpose of promoting goods are now turning to virtual personalities to boost engagement and drive sales.
These virtual personalities, especially on the Instagram platform, are creating a fresh trend in terms of how businesses approach influencer marketing.
AI Influencers on the Rise
AI influencers are simply virtual influencers. They are handled by a real person or artist who manages the content and everything on the account. They are made possible with CGI technology and AI. To bring more authenticity and personality to the avatar, tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney are used.
They can customize their AI influencer to resonate with their brand's voice and attract the target audience; with proper content, their level of engagement remains very high. The flexibility and customization options of AI influencers make them so popular for brands, particularly those looking to create loyalty without relying on a human celebrity.
Why Brands Like AI Influencers
AI influencers have several benefits for brands looking to obtain effective digital marketing strategies. One of the key strengths is their ability to provide highly personalized and consistent content. Virtual influencers can sometimes interact with their audiences better than human celebrities because they can be programmed to develop certain behaviors and personalities.
For example, they could tailor content according to preference, thereby increasing interaction and targeted messaging.
AI influencers also give brands more control over their messaging. Human influencers cannot be molded as virtual personalities can fit the values and aesthetics perfectly aligned with a brand's goals. That is why 48.7% of marketers are including AI in their campaigns regularly.
Now, they are invading Instagram. Let's take a look at the most popular AI influencers as of writing.
Lu do Magalu - 7.4 M Followers
One of the most successful AI influencers to date is Lu do Magalu, from Brazil. Starting out as a virtual assistant for Magazine Luiza, Lu has now become a retail influencer with more than 7.3 million followers.
Her association with major brands such as Burger King, Red Bull, and Adidas has positioned her as one of the leaders in the digital marketing arena. Lu is a great content creator with a sense of social awareness and advocating for various causes such as anti-domestic abuse and fighting against fake news.
Lil Miquela - 2.5M Followers
One virtual artist from Brud who has gained huge popularity and 2.5 million followers on Instagram is Lil Miquela. At 19 years old, the avatar has worked with top brands such as Dior, Prada, and Calvin Klein.
She even made her debut at Coachella. What is more, Lil Miquela's influence on the fashion world is deepened by her vocal advocacy for social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter.
Leya Love - 543K Followers
Leya Love is an environmental activist virtual influencer. She has more than 500,000 followers, and through her social media, she raises awareness about nature conservation and sustainability.
Besides being a digital influencer, she has co-authored a best-selling book and spoke at the UN Global Youth Summit. Her efforts towards positive change have struck a chord with a large audience, especially those who are passionate about environmental issues.
Imma - 393K Followers
Imma, the Japanese virtual influencer with a distinctive pink bob, has become a major name in the fashion world. Known for her unique style, Imma has collaborated with big brands like IKEA, Hugo Boss, and Coach.
Her cultural influence and integration of fashion with AI technology have made her a standout in the virtual influencer community, particularly in Japan.
Shudu Gram - 237K Followers
Shudu Gram is the world's first digital supermodel. She has been created by Cameron James Wilson. Currently, with 237,000 followers, Shudu has been featured in shoots for major global brands, including Vogue, Balmain, and SONY.
Her unique African beauty serves as a challenge to traditional beauty and brings a more inclusive and diversified representation to the fashion world.
The influence of AI on the interaction of brands with audiences will not be rivaled by the more traditional celebrity endorsements in terms of customization and control.
With the ever-improving technology, we are expecting even more innovative and interactive AI personas that are going to center the show on Instagram and other related platforms.
