Virtual Influencers of Instagram and YouTube-The Future of Social Media

What will the future of social media be?

While the current spate of generative AI tools is exciting and is already changing discovery behaviors and interactive processes, they are scratching the surface of what is possible and what is not. And they are far from actual “intelligence,” as the AI name suggests.

Do these data-matching tools can predict elements of text and images?

Indeed, most of these initial models are data-matching tools, and they can predict elements of text and images based on the most likely sequencing by applying probability to massive datasets.

They are becoming increasingly adept at doing just that, but they are not “thinking” as such; these systems are not developing new concepts independently. There is no intent or reasoning behind those matches other than mathematical likelihoods.

Is it the next level of AI?

Yes, it is the next level of AI, which many experts have expressed concern about. In such systems, we will one day have the capacity to think independently and potentially exceed our mental capacity. Creating a digital “brain,” as it were, is still far from reality.

But even so, through probability alone, we are also just touching on the expanded possibilities of generative systems, with the latest advances now pointing to a whole new phase of digital creation. It could cut many humans out of the process.

Last week, a Spanish ad agency made headlines after it revealed that it had created an AI character. It is now earning $10,000 per month from brand contracts.

Aitana requires no payment, has no qualms about what she promotes, and is available 24/7. She looks natural, and there is no doubt many of her 200,000 Instagram followers were unaware that she does not exist.

You can see the appeal of virtual influencers in this respect, and Aitana is not the first to build a huge following and certainly won’t be the last.

Even before the arrival of Dall-E and Midjourney, virtual models were already gaining traction. It includes characters like Lilmiquela (2.7m IG followers), noonoouri (424k followers), and Shudu (241k).

Tell everything about the advanced creation tools that are life-like.  

More advanced creation tools are now making these virtual identities even more life-like. At the same time, the next phase of digital animation could take them to another level of realism in replicating human trends.

All videos shared as part of Alibaba’s “Animate Anyone” project are realistic. It highlights how advanced image recognition and video sequencing can make an animated version of an individual look authentic.

It can now replicate actual human movement to an increasingly realistic degree.

It is still not perfect, but again, we are only at the start of this process, and you can see how these systems continue to evolve for virtual influencers in both still and video form. They are set to become much bigger elements of online interaction.

What are Deepfake characters?

Deepfake characters are getting popular by the day. You can create a deepfake character with superimposed celebrity faces over real actors. You can do the same with normal individuals, too.

How can Deepfake videos and characters be controlled or stopped?  

There is another aspect and vector for security concerns, but entirely virtual creations animated from still images.

It would be cheaper to use, faster to customize, and more accessible for any brand to create. It is based on templated actions, animations, and movements.

And they are coming. Every platform is already rolling out AI labeling requirements to get ahead of this.

But realistically, it will become increasingly more work to know whether you are looking at a natural person or an AI-made deepfake creation with blurred details and distortions.

But don’t worry. The newer processes and systems are rapidly ironing them out.

Right now, it is easy to spot those AI-generated promotional photos in your Facebook feed ads.

But refinements are steadily bringing these tools closer to reality and, ironically, taking consumers further from it simultaneously.

So, what does that mean for your marketing efforts?

Well, if you are camera shy and have reservations about making video content, soon, you might not have to, with viable alternative options to create digitally animated content.

You must disclose such, but realistically, the concept will resonate with viewers, not the composition. It could be an avenue for future development if you avoid the tell-tale markers of current generative AI imaginings.

However, it could also be bad news for human influencers, who are just now having their moment in the sun, as more brands realize their worth in reaching specific audiences.

What is the Creator Economy?

The “Creator Economy” could be set for a rapid recession in this context as even short-form videos become increasingly AI-simulated. They will spark all the new trends in promotions, with brands happily welcoming the cost savings.

What do most people think about these new-age AI creations?

 Most people think that human creativity will remain an essential part of it, and no matter how realistic your AI creations are, you will still need human-centered emotion at the core of any promotion.

And until machines can think like us, It will remain a key differentiator, though the process of expressing your message looks set to change significantly.

It will be a crucial trend to keep tabs on in the new year.

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