The Rise of AI Influencers: What Brands Need to Know About Virtual Talent

Virtual influencers are booking real brand deals, and the line between human and AI-generated content is blurring faster than most marketers expected.

Welcome to the Future

Lil Miquela has 2.6 million Instagram followers. Imma partners with major beauty brands. Noonoouri walked virtual runways for luxury fashion houses. None of them are human, and all of them are generating real engagement and driving actual sales.

Why Brands Are Paying Attention

AI influencers offer something human creators can't: complete brand control, zero scandal risk, 24/7 availability, and perfect on-brand messaging every single time. They don't get tired, demand last-minute contract changes, or post controversial content that threatens your brand reputation.

But the advantages go deeper. Virtual influencers can be designed from scratch to perfectly embody your brand values and resonate with your target demographic. They can appear in multiple locations simultaneously, never age, and maintain consistent engagement without burnout.

The Authenticity Question

Here's the pushback: consumers value authenticity, and AI influencers are literally manufactured. However, research shows that Gen Z and younger millennials engage with virtual influencers at rates comparable to human creators, provided the content provides value and the virtual nature is transparent.

The key is honesty. Audiences accept AI influencers when brands are upfront about their virtual nature and focus on delivering entertaining, valuable content rather than pretending the influencer is human.

Strategic Considerations

Before diving into virtual influencer partnerships, ask yourself: Does this align with our brand values? Will our audience respond positively? Are we transparent about the AI nature? Can we create content that provides real value rather than just jumping on a trend?

For some brands, AI influencers are perfect ambassadors. For others, the human connection remains irreplaceable. The smartest strategy often combines both, using virtual and human creators for different aspects of your campaign.

Finding Your Approach

At Business Athlete, we help brands navigate the evolving influencer landscape, whether that means securing partnerships with top human talent, exploring virtual influencer opportunities, or developing hybrid strategies that leverage both.

The future of influence is here. The question is: how will your brand show up?