Listicle: 10 AI influencers that really seem human

Naina is cute, wholesome, multilingual, and not averse to talking about dandruff, chai and rajma chawal. (Did you see her meet-cute in an ad in January?) But her strength is that she never outshines her human collaborators. There were rumours that she’d join Bigg Boss 18. She didn’t. She’s amassed almost half a million followers nonetheless.

India’s first AI-generated brand ambassador looks, at first, like a teenage boy’s fantasy. She has impossible proportions, likes skimpy clothes and poses like a ’90s supermodel. But sandwiched between the virtual appearances for Netflix and the style tips are posts about PCOS and depression. Zara knows that chai is bad on an empty stomach, and before bed. We wish she styled herself better and spoke her mind more.

Shudu, from South Africa, is more than a digitally generated fashion model. She keeps up a lively commentary in every post. When she’s reinterpreting Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter style, she talks about how music has evolved, how some songs are timeless, how we might document our relationship with music. Oh. there’s inclusivity and body positivity in some of the virtual runway posts too.

Sofia, like many of her AI cousins, is a model – every post highlights her blonde-bombshell curves. But she’s also a musician, and has released 14 AI-generated songs that stream on YouTube. The most recent, Dancing With The Martians, is an upbeat club track. Journey of a Snowflake, which came out last month, is slower, like a pop ballad. Generic, but not bad.

Aitana, from Barcelona, isn’t smutty. She has interests in video games, sports, travel, fitness, and cosplay. It’s worked in her favour – she has 354K followers, and a 2024 news report states that she earns $17,000 a month from endorsements and collabs. Scroll past the pink, past the VIP seat selfies. See her touching up her lipstick in NYC and grabbing a Starbucks. She’s just another girl, really.

Leya is a green warrior and has already been part of climate summits (talking about how virtual ambassadors can be trained to spread global messaging) and blockchain conclaves (talking about how AI can be used for good). Her feed is a little flat – bland portraits and blander aphorisms. But when there’s a collab involved, she really comes to life, virtually.

This Meta influencer from Mumbai had Diljit Dosanjh and Shark Tank fans swooning over her. She cosplays as Poo and has endorsed L’Oreal, Realme, Wow Skin Science and other major brands. In a world where every AI model looks like a pin-up fantasy, Kyra looks like she means business. She’s the only one who’s occasionally worn spectacles!

Some 7.7 million Instagram users follow virtual Luiza’s virtual life. And it’s a pretty charmed life. Healthy breakfasts, cheering for her favourite soccer team, chilling at Brazil’s Carnival, sleeping in late – and promoting everything from Uber to lipgloss along the way. Honestly, she’s less annoying than real-world influencers.

Imma’s slick pink bob stays kawaii all through her adventures – she’s delivered a TEDx talk, modelled streetwear, been on the cover of a computer-graphics magazine and taken trips to Europe. We love the little details – her expressions, her nails, her very Japanese dedication to posing in front of vending machines.

The OG virtual gamer girl, Angelica (in her signature maroon hair and latex suits) has fans among goths, meme lovers and video-game enthusiasts. She loves (what else?) cars, machine guns and high scores. And she’s got sass – she puts sexist trolls and creeps in their place in her response videos. Now that’s using tech for good!