Meta Introduces AI Studio for Instagram Creators

Hey Alpha Fam! Happy Monday! For those of you who missed me at VidCon, I had a big announcement: My company, What's Trending, is partnering with PRophet, a division of Stagwell Marketing Cloud!

As part of this exciting partnership, I'll be hosting a new series called ‘Creator Spotlight,’ where I return to my roots by interviewing emerging and top creators. More details HERE.?

Meta is testing a new tool called "AI Studio" in the U.S. that lets some Instagram influencers create AI versions of themselves. These AI bots can interact with followers and answer questions. CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the bots will be clearly marked as AI to avoid confusion.?

This development is similar to recent moves by Character.AI and Google.

AI Studio aims to help influencers manage their large followings by providing a scalable way to engage with their audience. The bots will be programmed to respond to common queries and interact in a manner consistent with the influencer's style.?

This could save creators time and allow for more frequent interaction with fans, but it also raises questions about the authenticity of these engagements.

Critics, however, argue that relying on AI could undermine the personal touch that makes social media interactions unique.

??My hot take :?I’m all for tools that help creatives and solopreneurs create, connect, and build their brand more easily. If AI is effective, it could be a great way to grow their communities efficiently. However, there could be issues, especially if it feels inauthentic. Social media's strength lies in its ability to foster genuine connections. But how will we know if those connections are real? Have we truly built any sort of relationship if it was an AI vs the real me responding all along? Imagine meeting someone in person who says, “I’m the one who DM’d you, and we had a whole conversation,” and you have no idea what they’re talking about. That could get weird very quickly.

Other headlines to check out:

Web3

• Meta’s prototype ‘full holographic’ glasses could be a game changer for Web3
• Burning Man-inspired festival in Bali goes full Web3: Here’s how
• Crypto to See Tighter Tax Rules Starting in 2026

Creator Economy?

• The majority of Gen Z Describe themselves as video content creators?
• White House to expand its influencer engagement efforts with its first-ever Creator Economy Conference
• ?11 VC firms funding the next phase of the creator economy, from AI-powered tools to e-commerce startups
• TikTok Pushes Long Video at Vidcon?

AI

• MIT robotics pioneer Rodney Brooks thinks people are vastly overestimating generative AI
• Amazon, Built by Retail, Invests in Its AI Future
• https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/morgan-freeman-criticizes-scam-ai-voice-1235935700/amp/
• https://www.fastcompany.com/91147964/whole-foods-ceo-ai-is-going-to-fundamentally-change-every-part-of-our-business
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/zengernews/2024/06/30/how-ai-is-changing-the-teaching-profession-forever/

I’m Bullish On… ??

Changer Studios

Changer Studios, founded by Ant McCormack and Farhad Meher-Homji, supports content creators through free accelerator programs, workshops, and masterclasses. Specializing in short-form media, they provide access to a production studio, consultancy services, and industry insights to help creators thrive in the digital landscape.

Gentle reminder ???

YOU ARE WORTH IT

Keep betting on yourself. Keep betting on your dreams. The world needs what you’re creating! - @raven50mm

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