{"id":592221,"date":"2023-09-22T16:31:06","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T13:31:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/"},"modified":"2023-09-22T16:31:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T13:31:06","slug":"meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"#meet the AI-generated figures posing as your new online friends"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a276b63d32ef\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a276b63d32ef\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/#What_are_virtual_influencers\" >What are virtual influencers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/#Why_do_virtual_influencers_exist\" >Why do virtual influencers exist?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/#The_transparency_issue\" >The transparency issue<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/#A_Messi_way_to_make_money\" >A Messi way to make money<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends\/#Will_the_virtual_replace_the_human\" >Will the virtual replace the human?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image?fit=796%2C417&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn0.tnwcdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1%2Ffiles%2F2023%2F09%2F5-investor-types-gq.jpg&amp;signature=c1440aa1b455ad49b70609f45f0f9d4f\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n                            The future of influence is here: a digital avatar that captivates millions of adoring fans while offering unparalleled customisation and round-the-clock availability.<\/p>\n<p>Virtual influencers are transforming the way content is created, consumed and marketed online. They represent an electrifying dance between cutting-edge <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> and our desire for connection. But, at the same time, they are yet another product being peddled by marketers that want our money.<\/p>\n<p>Upon close inspection, we can see the risks that emerge with these blurred realities.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_virtual_influencers\"><\/span>What are virtual influencers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While virtual influencers aren\u2019t a particularly new concept \u2013 virtual Japanese popstar <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/article\/1997\/05\/16\/kyoko-date-worlds-first-virtual-pop-star\/\">Kyoko Date<\/a> has been around since 1996 \u2013 recent advances in technology have thrust them into the spotlight.<\/p>\n<p>Also called digital influencers or AI influencers, these digital personalities have a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a> presence and interact with the world from a first-person perspective.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper channel-cta\">\n<div class=\"ica-text\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/globalboardroom.ft.com\/?utm_source=partner_website&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=global%7Cpartner%7Cevent_registration%7Cprospecting%7Cbau%7C2023_the_global_boardroom_7_global&amp;utm_content=TNW\" data-event-category=\"Article\" data-event-action=\"In Article Block\" data-event-label=\"AI: How can businesses safely optimise its potential?\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ica-text__title\">AI: How can businesses safely optimise its potential?<\/p>\n<p>Surround yourself with the information, inspiration and people who are sharing their strategies for a world transformed by crisis. Join the Financial Times and TNW at The Global Boardroom, 8-10 November.<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>They\u2019re created by 3D artists using CGI (computer-generated imagery), motion-capture technology and AI tools. Creators can make them look and act exactly how they want, and their personas are thoughtfully developed to align with a target audience.<\/p>\n<p>There are three main <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.1145\/3492862\">types of virtual influencers<\/a>: non-humans, animated humans and life-like CGI humans. Each one provides an innovative way to connect with audiences.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_virtual_influencers_exist\"><\/span>Why do virtual influencers exist?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Advancements in AI, the rise of social media and visions of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-the-metaverse-a-high-tech-plan-to-facebookify-the-world-165326\">the metaverse<\/a> (in which the real and virtual worlds are blended into a massive immersive digital experience) are synergistically fuelling the growth of virtual influencers.<\/p>\n<p>Their popularity has prompted marketing agencies to embrace them as a cost-effective promotional strategy.<\/p>\n<p>While real influencers with millions of followers may demand <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/the-goods\/2018\/11\/28\/18116875\/influencer-marketing-social-media-engagement-instagram-youtube\">hundreds of thousands of dollars<\/a> per post, one <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onbuy.com\/gb\/blog\/the-highest-earning-robot-influencers-on-instagram%7Ea243\/\">2020 estimate<\/a> suggested virtual influencer Lil Miquela charged a more reasonable \u00a36,550 (currently about A$12,600).<\/p>\n<p>Virtual influencers have clear benefits when it comes to online engagement and marketing. They don\u2019t age, they\u2019re free from (real) scandals and they can be programmed to speak any language. It\u2019s no surprise a number of companies and celebrities have caught onto the trend.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, supermodel Bella Hadid posed with Lil Miquela in ads for Calvin Klein in what one columnist dubbed a \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/commentisfree\/2019\/may\/21\/bella-hadid-lil-miquela-terrifying-glimpse-calvin-klein\">terrifying glimpse of the future<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, virtual influencers have become even more popular.<br \/>In 2021, Prada <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualhumans.org\/article\/prada-creates-first-virtual-muse-candy\">introduced<\/a> a CGI ambassador for its perfume Candy. More recently, Lil Miquela has popped up in a number of high-profile brand campaigns and celebrity interviews. Even r<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>er Timbaland <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2023\/03\/29\/timbaland-lil-miquela-ai-music\">has said<\/a> he is considering a collaboration.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_transparency_issue\"><\/span>The transparency issue<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Virtual influencers have a unique cultural dimension. They exist in a murky space between our world and the virtual which we\u2019ve never quite explored. How might they impact us?<\/p>\n<p>One major concern is transparency. Many virtual influencers already present as human-like, and it may become increasingly difficult to distinguish between them and real people. This is particularly problematic in an advertising context.<\/p>\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" srcdoc=\"&lt;style&gt;*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden}html,body{background:#000;height:100%}img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;transition:opacity .1s cubic-bezier(0.4,0,1,1)}a:hover img+img{opacity:1!important}&lt;\/style&gt;&lt;a href=\" https:=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/9-KhO0EqMg0\/hqdefault.jpg\" style=\"top: 50%;left:50%;width:68px;height:48px;transform:translate3d(-50%,-50%,0)\" width=\"440\" height=\"260\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Virtual influencers often feature alongside real celebrities.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As the market for virtual influencers grows, we\u2019ll need clear guidelines on how this content is used and disclosed.<\/p>\n<p>India has taken the lead on this. In January, its Department of Consumer Affairs <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2023\/01\/20\/india-social-media-influencers-guidelines\/\">made it mandatory<\/a> for social media influencers, including virtual influencers, to disclose promotional content in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, TikTok has updated its <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/community-guidelines\/en\/overview\/?cgversion=2023\">community guidelines<\/a> to say:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Synthetic or manipulated media that shows realistic scenes must be clearly disclosed. This can be done through the use of a sticker or caption, such as \u2018synthetic\u2019, \u2018fake\u2019, \u2018not real\u2019, or \u2018altered\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Messi_way_to_make_money\"><\/span>A Messi way to make money<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The emergence of virtual replicas of real people (including deepfakes) has led to new discussions about how a person\u2019s likeness may be used, with or without their consent.<\/p>\n<p>On one hand, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/bernardmarr\/2019\/07\/22\/the-best-and-scariest-examples-of-ai-enabled-deepfakes\/?sh=467d61422eaf\">celebrity deepfake porn<\/a> is on the rise. On the other, celebrities are including \u201csimulation rights\u201d in their contracts so their likeness may be used in the future. Take global football star Lionel Messi, who allowed PepsiCo to use a digital version of him to promote <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.firstpost.com\/tech\/news-analysis\/celebrities-like-messi-are-all-for-ai-deepfakes-but-why-are-they-signing-their-image-rights-away-12884992.html\">Lay\u2019s potato chips<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While this might introduce opportunities for talent expansion, it also raises exploitation risks. People may unwittingly or desperately sell off their digital likeness without consent or adequate compensation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_the_virtual_replace_the_human\"><\/span>Will the virtual replace the human?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For now, the relationship between virtual and human influencers seems more poised for coexistence than a total replacement. For now, virtual influencers can\u2019t connect with people the way a real person can (although it\u2019s hard to say how this might change in the future).<\/p>\n<p>As for human content creators, virtual influencers are both inspiration and competition. They\u2019re transforming what it means to be creative and influential online. Whether they like it or not, human creators will need to work with them \u2013 or at least alongside them \u2013 in whatever ways they can.<!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><em><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/mai-nguyen-1459609\">Mai Nguyen<\/a>, Lecturer in Marketing, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/griffith-university-828\">Griffith University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/virtual-influencers-meet-the-ai-generated-figures-posing-as-your-new-online-friends-as-they-try-to-sell-you-stuff-212001\">original article<\/a>.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/virtual-influencers-ai-generated-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The future of influence is here: a digital avatar that captivates millions of adoring fans while offering unparalleled customisation and round-the-clock availability. Virtual influencers are transforming the way content is created, consumed and marketed online. They represent an electrifying dance between cutting-edge technology and our desire for connection. But, at the same time, they are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":592222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2023\/09\/5-investor-types-gq.jpg&signature=d7d01105f1cd37c417a4528ab046d569","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-592221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/592221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=592221"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/592221\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/592222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=592221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=592221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=592221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}