AI Influencers Are Taking Over – And They're Earning Big!

Key Takeaways:

• AI Influencers are digital personalities powered by artificial intelligence, not human influencers.

• They are often created using machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing technologies to interact with audiences.

• Some well-known AI influencers include Lil Miquela, Shudu Gram, and Imma, each with a large following on social media platforms.

Did you know Kim Kardashian earns between $1 million and $2.1 million per Instagram post? She is one of the highest-paid influencers on the platform, but she is not even making that much compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, who was paid $3.2 million.

However, things are changing in 2025. Brands and advertisers are now realizing they do not need to pay this insane amount of money anymore because AI influencers are changing the entire game. They are getting the same views, engagements, and results as celebrities at a fraction of the cost!

According to American businessman and internet personality Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee, in the next ten years, the most famous influencers with the most followers will not be real people. He highlighted in his podcast:

Why Brands Are Investing Heavily In AI Influencers?

You have to understand why Brands are pouring their resources into AI influencers for one simple reason: they deliver the same results at a fraction of the cost. Think about it—these companies are getting the same exposure and engagement at 2% of the cost. For brands, it does not matter whether the influencer is real or AI—what matters are the views, engagement, and ultimately, the sales.

Currently, AI influencers are getting millions of views and massive engagement rates.

Additionally, big Brands like IKEA and McDonald's are already using AI influencers to market their products, and this is just the beginning.

Famous AI Influencers Right Now

Artificial Intelligence has paved a new wave of virtual influencers across multiple social media platforms. Here are some of the virtual influencers currently making a significant impact:

Lil Miquela

Lil Miquela was created by Trevor McFedries and Sara DeCou, the founders of Brud, a Los Angeles-based startup specializing in AI, robotics, and media.

She debuted on Instagram in 2016, instantly capturing attention with her realistic appearance and engaging fictional narrative.

Miquela is portrayed as a 19-year-old Brazilian-American model and musician from Downey, California.

Instagram: @lilmiquela

Shudu Gram

Shudu Gram was created by Cameron-James Wilson, a fashion photographer, in 2017, and she is considered by many to be the world's first digital supermodel.

She is depicted as a Black woman with features inspired by the "Princess of South Africa" Barbie doll and has sparked controversy due to being created by a white man while representing a Black woman's appearance.

Instagram: @shudu.gram

Aitana Lopez

Aitana Lopez is a virtual AI model created by The Clueless, a Spanish company. She's 25 years old and works as a social media influencer.

Aitana has over 250,000 followers on Instagram and is active on Fanvue. She's known for her work in the fashion, fitness, and lifestyle space, collaborating with various brands.

Instagram: @fit_aitana

Milla Sofia

Milla Sofia is a 24-year-old AI-generated virtual influencer, fashion model, and musician from Helsinki, Finland.

Milla is active on various social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where she shares her AI-generated fashion looks and music.

Milla is also an artist creating music powered by AI, with a primary focus on the pop and rock genres. Her music can be found on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Instagram: @millasofiafin

Noonoouri

Noonoouri is known for her high-fashion sense, collaborating with major brands, attending fashion shows, and modeling clothing and accessories. She uses her platform to promote causes she believes in. Notably, Noonoouri is a vegan, advocates for sustainable fashion, and is against using fur in fashion.

She is the brainchild of German designer Joerg Zuber, the founder of the creative agency Opium Effect.

Instagram: @noonoouri

Imma

Imma is a virtual influencer from Japan known for her distinctive pink bob hairstyle and trendy fashion sense, often seen wearing high-end brands.

Imma has worked with numerous well-known brands, including Porsche, IKEA, Dior, Puma, and Nike, showcasing her influence in the fashion and lifestyle industries.

Imma was created by Aww Inc. and ModelingCafe.

Instagram: @imma.gram

How Do AI Influencers Make Money?

Currently, the way the account makes money is primarily through brand deals, and most of the time, these AI accounts also make money by having exclusive subscription content on OnlyFans or Patreon.

But in the next few years, you are going to see all these AI influencers become not just models but also YouTubers. Think about it—if you are a content creator, you know how much time it takes to create just one video. You have to research the content, write the script, set up the lighting, film, edit, and animate your videos. It takes days just to publish one video, and most solo creators can only put out maybe two to three videos a week at most.

But imagine if you could clone yourself—you could probably upload more content per week or even upload every single day if you wanted to. You will still be the mind behind the channel, but the AI will handle the content delivery.

How Can You Capitalize On This Trend?

This is where the huge opportunity lies for you! Brands need this service, but many are still unaware it exists. You can position yourself as an AI-driven ad agency, helping brands scale their advertising efforts while cutting down on content costs by utilizing AI influencers.

It is important to realize that brands do not really care if the video is AI-generated—they only care about one thing: does it convert (turning a viewer into a paying customer, subscriber, or someone who takes a desired action)? By testing 50 variations instead of just two or three, you will be able to find winning ads much faster.

To get started, choose a niche you know well. Next, find brands that are already advertising—it is actually much easier than trying to convince a brand to start advertising from scratch. You can use ad libraries from social media platforms to see which companies are running ads and start from there. Then, create AI-powered ads, send them to the brands, and show them how much they could save by using AI influencers.

However, the key here is to stay focused when you start. Do not try to serve everyone and just focus on mastering one niche, building case studies, and expanding from there.

Remember that we are just scratching the surface—the AI influencer market is expected to reach $38 billion by 2030. So, do not overthink it—start exploring these ideas now because innovative creators are already making money with these strategies.

Final Thoughts

Personally, this is not about replacing human creators but enhancing what we can accomplish. Think of it like having a twin who helps you reach a larger audience with your message. The best part is that you can start exploring this now, as the tools are already available and improving every day.

Though We are still in the early stages, I have already seen a few channels doing exactly this. I can definitely see it becoming a trend in 2025 and in the years ahead!