AI Influencers: Virtual Faces, Real Threat to Human Creators?

• AI influencers are rapidly growing, with 200+ active profiles in India, mostly created after 2023, gaining real followers and paid posts.
• Brands are attracted to AI influencers for their scalability, speed, and control, using them for product launches and trending content.
• Concerns arise regarding authenticity, market saturation, and the potential impact on human creators' livelihoods, especially smaller ones.
• AI influencers currently have lower engagement rates (1.5%) compared to human creators (4%), struggling with long-term loyalty despite viral spikes.
• Human creators maintain an advantage in genuine cultural resonance, emotional endorsement, and building trusted communities, which AI struggles to replicate.