The Rise of AI Influencers & Influencer Marketing

What Are AI Influencers?

AI influencers, also known as virtual influencers, are digital personas powered by artificial intelligence that act, look, and interact like human influencers. Created using advanced technologies such as CGI, motion capture, and machine learning, they engage with audiences on social media platforms just like their human counterparts.

Popular AI influencers like Lil Miquela, Leyla Love, and Lu do Magalu offer brands new creative possibilities, enabling highly targeted campaigns that ensure consistent messaging, flexibility, and long-term cost efficiency. As AI influencers grow in popularity, they’re reshaping the influencer marketing landscape by providing brands with a unique blend of creativity and precision.

Ahead of the Trend – PULSE X MINI X AI

Five years ago, well before the current AI boom, Pulse Advertising partnered with MINI on a campaign featuring the iconic AI influencer Lil Miquela, who now boasts 2.4 million Instagram followers. Miquela introduced MINI’s new electric car model, stating, “In some ways, she’s just like me. New. Different. SPECIAL.”
The campaign seamlessly linked Miquela to the brand and its cutting-edge e-car technology, showcasing her in, on, and around the car. This innovative use of a virtual influencer demonstrated a level of creative storytelling and brand integration that wouldn’t have been achievable with a human influencer.

AI Influencers: A New Marketing Frontier

Platforms like Instagram are experiencing a wave of AI influencers with thousands of followers who post stories, engage in DMs, and create content that mirrors human influencers. Lil Miquela’s Instagram profile, for instance, resembles that of a typical influencer: Christmas celebrations, car selfies, beach outings, and stylish outfits—all curated to perfection while retaining her distinctive AI charm.

According to 52.8% of marketers, AI influencers will significantly impact the future of marketing. The goal isn’t to replace human influencers but to complement them by offering creative consistency and control.

With this rise, transparency is crucial. While AI influencers offer creative freedom, it’s essential that audiences understand they are interacting with a digital creation, not a real person. Clear labeling of AI content fosters trust and ensures authenticity remains at the core of influencer marketing.