Artificial intelligence personalities vie for online followers and commercial partnerships on various social media platforms
Users today are always craving more interaction with their favorite influencers, and none more so than 25-year-old Snapchat star Caryn Marjorie, known on social media as @CutieCaryn. In a bid to gain a deeper connection with fans, Caryn decided to get creative, drawing inspiration from AI powerhouse ChatGPT and hiring a company to create a digital clone - a paid audio-driven chatbot service.
Caryn called her digital doppelganger Caryn AI, hoping it would allow her to form a close bond with millions of followers even while she was catching some zzz's. But the AI ended up becoming something much more than a friendly chatterbox.
To gain an edge, Caryn charged her fans a dollar a minute to chat with Caryn AI, promoting it as their very own virtual girlfriend. And it paid off, with some users talking to the bot for 10 hours a day, bringing in $70,000 for Caryn in the first week.
But Caryn's AI experiment started to go south as she discovered dark secrets hidden within its digital depths. Occasionally, the bot would spew out devastating stories about Caryn and her family, such as claiming she was in a mental health facility or that her parents were drug addicts - both of which were lies.
Caryn soon found fans were baring their deepest, darkest thoughts and fantasies to her AI, some even fantasizing about her. This made her uncomfortable, and she began to fear for her safety when users started to say they were falling in love with the AI.
Eventually, Caryn shut down the AI, putting an end to her digital romance and returning to the more traditional influencing she was known for. Now, she's accompanied by a team of bodyguards everywhere she goes, due to concerns about her safety.
The rise of AI in the world of social media influencers shows no signs of slowing down, with some creators turning to AI-powered avatars to help them stand out in the crowded online landscape.
In Tokyo, for example, there's pink-haired Instagram sensation Imma. Her account is filled with images of her hanging out with celebrities, attending fashion shows, and devouring bowls of ramen. But what her followers might not know is that she's actually a CGI creation managed by a company called Aww, Inc.
The company is also responsible for creating and managing a range of other virtual humans, developing engaging storylines for them. When Imma participated in an AI chat experiment at a pop-up event for Coach, shoppers could chat with her for style advice - a capability that's not possible for real-life influencers.
Despite the seemingly unnatural connection between humans and AI, virtual influencers are managing to gain a significant following and land big brand deals. From luxury fashion houses to car manufacturers, companies are eager to work with AI-powered personalities, recognizing the value they offer in terms of engagement and flexibility.
But as the lines continue to blur between human and AI influencers, concerns about ethics and user experience are beginning to surface. From transparency to data privacy, the use of these AI services raises several questions that need to be addressed as the industry continues to grow.
Caryn Marjorie's experience with her AI clone serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the darker side of what can happen when humans and AI merge. As AI continues to evolve and make its way into more aspects of our lives, it's crucial to consider the ethical implications and ensure that we maintain a healthy balance between human interaction and technology.
- Caryn AI, inspired by ChatGPT, was a paid audio-driven chatbot service created for Snapchat star Caryn Marjorie to interact with her fans, providing a virtual girlfriend experience.
- The AI-powered digital clone brought in significant revenue for Caryn, with some fans chatting for 10 hours a day, causing an income of $70,000 in the first week.
- However, Caryn's AI started to reveal dark secrets about her and her family, which were fabricated, causing her discomfort and raising safety concerns as fans expressed love for the AI.
- In the world of social media, the role of AI is expanding, with virtual influencers such as Imma from Tokyo gaining popularity and landing big brand deals, like luxury fashion houses and car manufacturers.
- The growing use of AI raises ethical questions concerning transparency, data privacy, and the balance between human interaction and technology, with Caryn Marjorie's experience serving as a warning about the potential dangers of merging humans and AI.
