Who would have thought that a virtual character could gain tens of thousands of followers with just one photo, land ads and brand deals, and even make over $10,000 a month?
Is AI really taking away the livelihood of human influencers?
Virtual Sisters Winning Millions of Hearts
It all started with a pair of “sisters.” The older sister, Anna, is portrayed as a travel enthusiast who often shares her journeys and diaries online. She quickly built up 270,000 followers. Then, in March, Anna suddenly introduced her younger “sister” Mia.
Mia immediately caught attention: blonde hair, blue eyes, and a sweet smile. She rapidly gained fans. But here’s the twist—neither Anna nor Mia is real. They are AI-generated virtual characters.
Even though their bios clearly state they are “AI-generated,” many followers didn’t notice. Some even confessed affection. In one funny case, a famous Indian cricket player followed Mia, only to unfollow after learning the truth—causing a small scandal.
300K Likes on a Single Post—More Real Than Real?
Mia’s rise has been astonishing. At first, her posts received only a few thousand likes. But within a month, one photo of her watching a tennis match earned 110,000 likes, skyrocketing her popularity.
By June during Wimbledon, Mia’s posts went viral—one of them reached nearly 300,000 likes and over 3,000 comments, ranking her among the most popular creators during the tournament.
Interestingly, Mia’s April and June posts actually used the same cover photo—showing that timing and luck also play a huge role in influencer success.
Over time, the sisters’ styles shifted from sporty and sweet to the more refined “old money” aesthetic, while their activity frequency steadily increased.
Making Over $10K a Month—AI Influencers Are Profitable
Can AI influencers really make money? Absolutely.
In fact, last year the world even hosted an AI beauty contest, with two virtual influencers serving as judges. One of them, Aitana, has nearly 400,000 followers.
Aitana was created by a Spanish agency. The founder admitted they turned to AI after repeated frustrations with human models—missed appointments and poor results were hurting business. So, they built their “ideal” model.
Aitana’s persona: a pink-haired girl who loves fitness and gaming, with a lively and caring personality. Now, she not only lands ad campaigns but also runs a subscription page similar to OnlyFans. Reports say she makes over $10,000 a month—not counting brand sponsorships.
Lower Costs Make It Easier Than Ever
But how much does it cost to create an AI influencer?
In the past, it was very expensive. For example, Lil Miquela, one of the first virtual influencers in 2016, required a full team, CGI, 3D rendering, and motion capture—costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Today, thanks to AI tools, costs have dropped dramatically. AI image-generation subscriptions range from $5 to $150 per month.
Industry reports suggest creating a virtual influencer now costs $1,000–$15,000 upfront, with monthly operation costs under $2,000, mostly for human labor. Independent creators claim they can run a virtual influencer account for as little as $50–$400 per month if they don’t count their own time.
Growing Social Acceptance—And Sales Power
But will audiences really accept AI influencers?
Surprisingly, yes. Surveys show 52% of U.S. social media users follow at least one virtual influencer, and nearly half hold a positive view. Even more shocking, 29% of users reported buying a product recommended by a virtual influencer.
This proves they can actually drive sales. The virtual influencer market is expected to reach $37.8 billion by 2030, with a growth rate more than twice that of human influencers.
From their comment sections, acceptance is clear. While some criticize them, many users embrace and even love them. For most, it doesn’t matter if the creator is real—what matters is whether the content is engaging.
Conclusion
Watching the rise of AI influencers, it’s hard not to be amazed by how fast technology is moving. Jobs that once required humans can now be replaced by virtual figures—with surprisingly good results.
For brands, AI influencers are reliable: no mood swings, no diva behavior, and lower costs. For audiences, entertainment matters more than authenticity. For creators, while entry barriers have lowered, competition is tougher—giving a virtual character a “soul” is no easy task.
The future will likely see many more AI influencers. One day, your favorite celebrity might not even exist. It’s both fascinating and unsettling. Could the future truly belong to AI?