AI influencer clones – no, that’s not ripped from a sci-fi plot, they’re actually real. Imagine a digital “twin” of your favorite influencer, one that looks, talks, and interacts just like them, but operates 24/7 without needing so much as a coffee break. These AI-generated versions of real influencers are already in action, and for brands, it’s a whole new world of collaboration opportunities. Let’s dive into what digital influencer clones are, why they’re gaining traction, and what sort of place they’ll hold (and the benefits they can offer) in influencer marketing going forward.
So, what exactly are AI influencer clones?
It’s exactly what you think it is. An influencer’s exact replica, complete with all their quirks, style, and even signature phrases. Effectively, these digital influencer clones are hyper-realistic digital versions that mirror the influencer’s unique personality and looks, created through advanced AI technology. But to be clear, these AI digital clones aren’t just about looks; they’re designed to feel like the influencer, so much so that they can hold conversations, react to trends, and even show off a sense of humor.
This goes beyond the trend of “virtual influencers,” who are entirely fictional characters. These digital doubles of real-life people are trained on images, videos, and traits to create a clone that feels as close to the real thing as possible. Some influencers even give these clones specific personality quirks, so they’re like an “alter ego” that brands can partner with in new and exciting ways.
How do influencers feel about clones?
So far, influencers have mixed feelings about the new digital clone trend. Of course, this could likely be attributed to the fact that it’s very new and hasn’t exactly taken off in the influencer marketing world at large – yet. As more information comes to light about this tech, its benefits, and how it can be used, influencers may warm up to it even more. Conversely, if some controversies arise, this could negatively affect the trend, but of course, this remains to be seen.
Source: Instagram Influencers and AI by BCMA and HypeAuditor
As it stands, according to our recent HypeAuditor survey, around 13% of respondents feel very comfortable with the idea of creating a digital clone of themselves, while a larger group (26%) is somewhat comfortable.
This suggests that a small but still significant portion of influencers are open to the concept, currently seeing some value in digital clones for brand collaboration opportunities. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that influencers stand to enjoy by adopting this trend.
Expanding their reach with minimal effort
The primary appeal here is obvious: an AI clone allows influencers to reach audiences around the clock. In places like China, where Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Chinese influencers are already using AI to create digital versions of themselves, the trend has taken off. With an AI clone, influencers can multiply their online presence without doing all the heavy lifting. More reach, less work.
A new way to earn
Digital clones aren’t just for show – they also offer a whole new income source. Take influencer Caryn Marjorie, who created “CarynAI,” an AI-powered chatbot that fans could pay to chat with. Yes, thousands of people actually paid to chat with her clone, knowing full well what was happening. It’s opens up a pretty genius path for influencers to monetize their personal brand and give fans a unique experience. For brands, this means fresh ways to engage audiences through interactive, personalized experiences that keep people coming back for more.
Generative sponsorships – huh?
The concept of a generative sponsorship, championed by IZEA’s CEO, Ted Murphy, has also cropped up. In this model, brands and influencers share AI models, creating collaborations that are personalized and scalable. Imagine an influencer’s AI clone working alongside AI models of a brand’s offerings to rapidly create promotions tailored to each audience’s preferences. This opens a whole new door for brands to work with influencers in a way that feels direct and personalized – without needing the influencer to be online 24/7.
Why are brands leaning into the AI clone trend?
Hyper-personalized engagement
With AI clones, fans get a chance to interact with their favorite influencers on a personal level. For instance, the aforementioned CarynAI allowed people to have realistic conversations with her digital self, creating an experience that feels both unique and intimate. This kind of interaction builds a tighter connection between influencer and fan, which is great news for brands that want to engage a loyal, engaged audience.
A budget-friendly option
Creating content with an AI clone is cheaper and more efficient than relying on constant live input. Brands can launch polished campaigns with these digital avatars (perhaps for a one-time fee or some sort of retainer with the actual influencer), without the usual scheduling conflicts or content revisions. This enables brands to maximize impact while minimizing costs – a win-win in digital marketing and influencer marketing.
Always-on access
No more worrying about time zones or posting schedules. AI influencer clones can engage with audiences any time of day, anywhere in the world. For brands, this is a huge perk, as they can keep campaigns running smoothly around the clock without needing the influencer to log in and engage every time.
Legacy-building
With an AI clone, an influencer’s brand can carry on long after their active career. In other words, they’re creating a legacy. Brands and fans alike can continue to interact with an influencer’s digital self, creating new opportunities for partnerships and engagement without relying on the real person’s day-to-day availability.
How are AI clones and chatbot clones reshaping brand campaigns?
Multi-market campaigns
AI clones allow influencers to participate in multiple campaigns at once, even if they’re tailored for different languages and regions. For brands, this means they can localize campaigns for various markets with a single clone, creating a global impact that feels hyper-local.
AI chatbot clones
AI chatbots are a special subset of digital doubles focused on interactive chats. With these clones, fans can get even closer to influencers, having actual conversations that feel personal and responsive. For brands, this opens up opportunities to weave product suggestions naturally into these chats, creating a smooth brand experience for fans that doesn’t feel like a hard sell.
Chatbot clones are also great at automating replies and handling a large number of interactions at once, making it easier for influencers to keep up with demand. And since these AI bots work instantly, they’re perfect for real-time engagement.
Brand consistency
With an AI clone, you get consistent messaging on every platform – without worrying about slip-ups or off-brand posts. It’s a simple way to keep things polished while still reaching audiences wherever they are, and with localization options, brands can even adapt the message for different cultures or regions.
What about the ethical and practical challenges?
Here’s the thing – AI clones have to be disclosed. Or at the very least, people agree that they should be. Platforms like Instagram already have tags to indicate AI-generated content, so imagine a fully AI-powered influencer. Followers need to know when they’re interacting with a digital clone, or it can feel like a bait-and-switch. Being upfront about AI usage not only builds trust but also keeps followers from feeling misled, which is crucial in influencer marketing.
With AI clones, contracts also need to spell out ownership and rights. If an influencer licenses out their digital likeness, there needs to be a clear understanding of how and where it will be used to avoid potential legal snags and also fair compensation.
Lastly, AI clones carry personal information, so security is a must. Protecting the influencer’s digital likeness from misuse is critical, as any breach could damage both the influencer’s brand and the trust they’ve built with their followers.
Potential downsides of digital clones
Keeping it real
AI clones could be incredible, but they walk a fine line. Too much automation risks losing the human touch that fans expect. There’s a risk that overusing clones could make interactions feel robotic, so keeping some level of personal, live interaction remains important.
Upfront costs
While AI clones save time, they’re not inherently cheap to create. Developing a realistic, responsive AI clone requires a certain level of tech, meaning it’s still mostly high-profile influencers and big-budget brands diving in for now. However, with some companies advertising the ability to create these digital clones for as little as $1,000 once-off, it could become more accessible in the future as more companies offer these services.
Navigating new regulations
As AI clones get more popular, new regulations will be needed. Protecting privacy, ensuring ethical use, and setting up fair guidelines will be essential to keep AI influencer marketing responsible and transparent.
Conclusion
AI influencer clones are here, and they’re transforming how brands interact with audiences. With the potential for round-the-clock engagement, personalized campaigns, and new revenue streams, these digital doubles bring both exciting opportunities and fresh challenges. For marketers, it’s all about finding the right balance: using AI clones to enhance the influencer-brand relationship without losing the genuine human connection that audiences love.
As a new and emerging trend, brands and marketers should keep watch on how AI clones develop, noting the adoption of this tech from other big players and content creators. In particular, new regulations will become enforced over time and more success (and potentially failure) stories will come to light. Keeping tabs on this trend will be crucial for those who want to potentially get ahead of the AI-powered curve that has so rapidly disrupted the industry.
