WATCH OUT, SOCIAL INFLUENCERS – AI IS GOING TO TAKE OVER YOUR JOBS

▶ In a world where virtual fashion models are finding success, AI companies are going to be the ones holding the power

We have all probably heard complaints by marketers and businesses about the eyebrow-raising fees many social media influencers demand.

A while back, a client of mine asked us to arrange the visit of a social influencer to his headquarters, which she could document on her SnapChat and Instagram accounts and so hopefully help him increase the number of followers he has on Facebook.

When my office approached her, she asked $20,000 for a 15-minute visit.

When my client heard about her fee, he wondered if we were in the wrong business.

One of my acquaintances often worries how these role models will affect the younger generations.

While many marketers confirm that social media influencers are a trend that is here to stay, an article by the BBC altered my perspective completely. In fact, I now strongly believe that social media influencers’ heyday may be coming to an end soon, thanks to artificial intelligence.

The article examines Shudu, a London model who rose to fame last year.

What many people didn’t know was that Shudu was computer-generated and did not even exist in real life!

Not only did she garner many followers who admired her dark beauty, but Fenty Beauty, a make-up brand founded by superstar Rihanna, posted an image of the model wearing one of their lipstick shades.

That photo went viral, and the model gained over 80,000 followers as a result.

While Shudu is the world’s first virtual model, she isn’t the only computer-generated influencer on Instagram.

Another one is Miquela, with over 800,000 followers on her page, and she has been dressed in designer clothing such as Prada and Chanel and supports many causes, such as Black Lives Matter.

Let’s just take a moment to think how much of a game changer that is. You can have an AI company, with a programmer and designer, who will help create these virtual models or personalities, assist them to establish a following and make money in return.

You can have this virtual model support any cause you want, and dress in any designer’s outfit you desire. You can have her in London today, Paris tomorrow and New York the next day without her having to actually leave or pay for her expensive lifestyle.

You can have her live in a mansion, a multi-million-dollar penthouse, or live a life on the road all year round, all with the click of a button.

With this, not only will models like Shudu garner a huge following and influence, but you can have a girl of any ethnicity or religion.

The standards of beauty can be easily altered, and a desired lifestyle choice can be created. You can have your virtual personality alter her hairstyle, weight and even skin tone (such as tanned) with the click of a computer button.

You can have the personality respond to all comments on a page and even respond to marketers via email instantly. Everything can be automated.

Freaky, is what my brother, the robotic engineer, thought about this concept when we discussed it. But I thought of how powerful it is.

There is a power shift right there. AI engineers and programmers will be the real influencers in a very short time. And it’s only a matter of time before we see more of the likes of Shudu taking over the internet.

How can businesses benefit from this? They can, big time.

Big brands can create their own version of Shudus to market their products and the lifestyles they promote.

Marketing agencies can also create multiple personalities that can advocate and promote their clients’ products and services.

I strongly believe that soon enough we will not need to reach out to real social media influencers to work with us, but will be able to create our own influencers or collaborate with ones that may offer better fees and be more flexible in terms of marketing.