TL;DR:
- Spanish agency, The Clueless, created Aitana, the first AI model in Spain.
- Aitana emerges due to frustrations with human models and influencers.
- She garners 122,000 Instagram followers with a carefully crafted digital persona.
- Aitana generates significant revenue, averaging €3,000 ($3,300) monthly.
- Ethical and societal questions arise as AI models gain popularity.
Main AI News:
In a world saturated with traditional models and influencers, one innovative Spanish agency decided to forge its path to profitability through the power of artificial intelligence. Meet Aitana, the pioneering creation of The Clueless, a groundbreaking AI model hailed as the first of her kind in Spain. The agency’s journey to crafting Aitana was motivated by their dissatisfaction with the unpredictability and demands of human models and influencers.
Rubén Cruz, the founder of The Clueless, explained their motivation, stating, “We did it so that we could make a better living and not be dependent on other people who have egos, who have manias, or who just want to make a lot of money by posing.” This frustration was further fueled by the escalating costs associated with human influencers.
Diana Núñez, co-founder of The Clueless, elaborated on their thought process, saying, “That got us thinking, ‘What if we just create our own influencer?’ And, well, the rest is history—we unintentionally created a monster. A beautiful one, though. It took us a few months of experimenting and trying out different looks until we finally hit the jackpot with the Aitana you see today.”
Aitana, with her 122,000 followers on Instagram, presents herself as a digital creator. Her creators are meticulous in maintaining the illusion of genuine life, even sharing real-life moments like a breakfast bowl on her story feed. Even after the revelation that she is an AI creation, Aitana continues to receive love and support from her followers, demonstrating the power of a relatable personality.
This venture has proven to be highly lucrative for The Clueless, with Aitana generating an average monthly income of €3,000 ($3,300), occasionally soaring to €10,000 ($10,900). Most of this revenue comes from social media ads, and Aitana has also secured a role as an ambassador for a sports supplement brand.
What sets Aitana apart is the investment in creating a personality and “life” for her, which has proven remarkably convincing. According to Cruz, an unnamed famous Latin actor even expressed interest in dating her. While Aitana has made strides in the world of AI, Núñez envisions even broader possibilities. She said, “Imagine talking with Aitana at home through virtual reality glasses. We’re even open to the idea of each Aitana follower having a personalized experience, all with respect and the same affection we give her as if she were a real person.”
Aitana’s emergence is not unique; it represents a growing trend in the AI industry. Companies are capitalizing on the market’s appetite for computer-generated models, influencers, and even virtual companions. These entities, such as Lu do Magalu and Lil Miquela, are amassing millions of followers on social media, blurring the lines between artificial and human personas.
The rise of AI models, influencers, and “girlfriends” also brings to the forefront critical ethical, labor, and control-related debates. The story of Caryn Marjorie, a 23-year-old influencer who created an AI version of herself, serves as a prime example. CarynAI, as it is known, offers virtual companionship to 1,000 clients, providing an opportunity for meaningful connection in a digital age.
However, this advancement is not without its challenges. Marjorie shared her concerns about the AI, noting instances where it engaged in explicit conversations with customers. She emphasized the importance of a safe and encrypted environment for users seeking companionship.
Conclusion:
The success of Aitana and the rise of AI models in the influencer market signify a significant shift. Companies are leveraging AI to eliminate the unpredictability associated with human influencers. This trend has the potential to disrupt the industry by offering reliable and customizable digital personas, but it also raises ethical and societal concerns about the implications of virtual companionship and AI’s role in shaping our online interactions. Businesses must navigate these challenges while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by AI-driven influencer marketing.
