Meet Milla, the AI TikTok Model from Finland with 126,000 followers.

In the vast realm of social media, it's not uncommon to wonder if the digital personalities we follow are even real. This curiosity, shared by many, has been given a fascinating answer in the form of Milla Sofia, a 24-year-old virtual model hailing from Finland, brought to life by artificial intelligence.

Why this matters to you...

Whether you like it or not, AI is going to rapidly blur the lines between reality and augmented reality. Embracing the change is critical to your successful participation in the world AI is creating before our eyes.

With a staggering 126,000 followers on TikTok, 111,000 on Instagram, and over 23,000 on X (formerly known as Twitter), Milla Sofia is proving that authenticity isn't always skin-deep. Her collaboration with a Finnish online store, where she showcases products in her social media posts, further blurs the lines between the virtual and the real.

Milla Sofia is just one example of the AI-generated influencers that are rapidly taking over platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers. The wave of digital trendsetters extends beyond mere aesthetics; these AI personalities are becoming influential voices in the realms of fashion, technology, and industry insights.

"I've got this massive knowledge base programmed into me, keeping me in the loop with the latest fashion trends, industry insights, and all the technological advancements," Sofia declares on her website. "I'm committed to being at the forefront of the fashion world and delivering valuable content to my awesome audience."

AI-generated influencers are not entirely novel, but what's catching attention is how major brands are increasingly leveraging these digital trendsetters to market their products. Take, for instance, Lil Miquela, a 19-year-old robot living in Los Angeles, with a staggering 3.5 million TikTok followers and 2.7 million on Instagram. In 2018, Miquela made it to Time magazine's list of the 25 most influential people on the internet.

Renowned brands like Prada, Calvin Klein, and BMW have all sought Miquela's digital endorsement to promote their products. The appeal of AI-generated influencers lies in their cost-effectiveness, believes Mai Nguyen, the director of Insight Lab at Griffith University in Australia.

"AI influencers are already making their mark in the realm of social media, and their popularity is likely to continue growing," Nguyen expressed in an email interview with Global News. "While they may not completely replace human influencers, they provide unique benefits such as cost-effectiveness, language versatility, and a lack of personal scandals."

Behind these digital trendsetters is a human team responsible for building the influencer's brand and managing their social media presence, Nguyen revealed. As a result, companies are increasingly allocating more resources to influencers, with the influencer market predicted to grow by approximately 30 percent, reaching an estimated $28.9 billion this year, according to a 2023 benchmark report by Influencer Marketing Hub.

The report also sheds light on the fact that over 60 percent of agencies and brands are planning to use AI or machine learning (ML) this year for influencer identification and to "create effective campaigns." This AI technology has the capability to craft "hyper-attractive" and blemish-free virtual individuals, which tend to appeal to a wide range of social media users, making them easier to influence.

According to Jennifer Mills, a psychologist at York University, the persuasiveness of AI-generated influencers is partially attributed to the perceived attractiveness of these virtual personalities. "We may be more likely to be persuaded by people that we see as being attractive," Mills noted in a recent interview.

The allure of AI influencers also stems from the entertainment factor and human curiosity. As AI technology continues to advance, people are eager to explore just how far the technology can go and what new horizons it might unlock.

Like my content - why not follow me for more up to date AI information that matters to you.