Both of These Influencers Are Successful—but Only One Is Human
Introduction
In today’s digital landscape, influencers come in all shapes and sizes, but one intriguing comparison stands out: a human influencer and her AI counterpart. While both draw significant attention, their methods of engagement drastically differ.
Meet the Influencers: One Human, One AI
– Kaaviya Sambasivam: A genuine influencer with about 1.3 million followers across various platforms. At 26, she crafts content that showcases her daily life, from makeup tutorials to recipe shares. Each video takes hours or even days to perfect.
– Gigi: An AI influencer designed by Simone Mckenzie, a University of Illinois student. Despite being only 21, Gigi attracts millions through her quirky videos, effortlessly blending absurdity with charm. For instance, she munches on pizzas made of molten lava or uses cotton candy as lip gloss.
The Rise of AI Influencers
Gigi is more than just a digital creation; she represents a rapidly evolving trend in social media. With AI tools like Google Veo 3, content creators like Ms. McKenzie can effortlessly generate videos in mere minutes, yielding impressive revenue.
– Monetization Success: “One video made me $1,600 in just four days,” shared Ms. McKenzie. Within two months, Gigi amassed millions of views, contributing significantly to Ms. McKenzie’s earnings via TikTok’s creator fund.
– AI’s Impact on Social Media: Experts, such as Jessa Lingel from the University of Pennsylvania, estimate that this new wave of AI-generated content—sometimes referred to as “AI slop”—is reshaping the influencer economy, making success accessible to those lacking resources for traditional content creation.
The Challenge for Human Influencers
While AI influences quickly capture attention, established influencers like Kaaviya Sambasivam face new challenges.
– Production Feasibility: Creating authentic content is time-consuming. Kaaviya spends time planning, filming, and editing her videos—a stark contrast to Ms. McKenzie’s rapid AI video production. She reflected, “I can’t compete with robots.”
– Building a Brand: Kaaviya built her following during the Covid pandemic with limited resources, initially duct-taping her phone for filming prior to investing in proper equipment. Her journey highlights the dedication required to succeed in the influencer sphere.
AI as a Content Creation Tool
Simone Mckenzie utilized AI to overcome personal barriers that limited her traditional influencer journey.
– Creative Flexibility: By using Google’s Veo 3, Ms. Mckenzie generated Gigi’s persona, complete with playful interactions that resonate with viewers. Gigi’s character cleverly addresses scepticism about her AI nature.
– The Evolution of Digital Content: As noted by Brooke Duffy, alterations in digital content creation aren’t new but have evolved significantly from image-editing tools like Photoshop to hyper-realistic AI videos that can be generated in minutes.
The Spectacle of AI Videos
The diversity of AI-generated content is staggering, from comedic pet antics to historically themed storytelling.
– Influential Stories: Creators like Daniel Riley leverage AI to craft immersive experiences without the complexities of traditional production, releasing engaging “time travel” narratives that captivate audiences.
– Memes and Cultural Impact: AI content is quickly becoming part of meme culture, blending reality and fiction in a way that intrigues viewers and garners shares.
The Future of AI in Influencing
As AI influencers gain traction, the implications for society and the influencer economy deserve scrutiny.
– Blurred Lines: As Gigi quips about her AI nature, she highlights the growing challenge of discerning reality from AI-generated content, raising concerns about misinformation and the impact on younger audiences.
– Visual Engagement: Despite the ethical considerations, AI videos captivate viewers with exaggerated, meme-like qualities that are both entertaining and shareable, leading to increased engagement in an already saturated market.
Conclusion
Gigi and Kaaviya Sambasivam embody two distinct paths to influencer success—one rooted in human experience and creativity, the other propelled by technological innovation. As AI continues to redefine content creation, the influencer landscape will adapt, potentially opening new doors while presenting challenges in authenticity and audience perception. The question remains: how will human influencers navigate a digital world increasingly dominated by AI?