Prompt Horizon Issue #20: AI Influencers & Spokespeople

EDITOR’S NOTE

Hey there! 👋🏻

AI is changing social media fast.

One of the biggest shifts right now is the rise of AI influencers. Digital faces powered by generative AI that can talk, post, and promote 24/7 without missing a beat.

For brands, that sounds like a dream: total control, no scheduling drama, and endless scalability. AI creators are no passing trend; they’re rapidly shaping the future of influencer marketing and redefining what trust and connection look like in the digital age.

In this issue of Prompt Horizon, we unpack the rise of AI influencers because in a world where anyone (or anything) can go viral, understanding what’s real still matters.

Let’s go!

TL;DR 📝

• AI influencers are computer-generated personalities offering brands control, scalability, and cost-efficiency in marketing.

• About 79% of marketers said they are increasing investment in AI-generated creator content this year, according to a Billion Dollar Boy survey of about 1,000 senior marketers in the UK and US.

• The global virtual influencer market is expected to reach an estimated $11.4 billion by 2030

• A hybrid strategy, combining AI for scalable content and human influencers for authentic engagement, often yields the best results.

NEWS YOU CAN USE 📰

AI spokesperson helps Vodafone ads hit two million views. Vodafone Germany has launched a TikTok campaign with an AI-generated influencer, which has resulted in more than two million views and many questions. [Source: SmartCompany, September 2025] 

Are AI influencers worth the risk? Some brands cool on the trend amid backlash and weak performance. AI influencers are the latest shiny object in influencer marketing. But they're already losing their luster for some marketers. [Source: Business Insider, October 2025] 

The global virtual influencer market is expected to reach an estimated $11.4 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 22.3% from 2024 to 2030. The major drivers for this market are constantly changing digital environment and growing global social media usage, changes in the fashion industry, as well as, continuing progress in the field of virtual influencer technology. [Source: Lucintel, September 2025] 

AI Influencers And Spokespeople: A Practical Guide for Brands 💡

The emergence of AI influencers presents a compelling, yet complex, opportunity for brands.

These virtual personalities offer unique advantages in terms of control, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, but also introduce challenges related to authenticity, trust, and ethical considerations. 

Deciding whether to integrate AI creators into your marketing strategy requires a careful evaluation of their potential benefits against their inherent limitations.

Why Brands Are Betting on AI Creators

AI Influencer Lil Miquela

• Total control & consistency: Unlike human influencers, AI creators don’t go off-script. Brands like Prada and Balmain have used virtual models such as Lil Miquela and Shudu to ensure every campaign stays perfectly on-brand, with no drama and no PR crises.

• Always-on scalability: AI influencers can post, stream, and interact in multiple languages 24/7. For instance, Reah Keem has represented LG, the electronics brand, at digital events.

• Lower costs: Virtual creators can reduce influencer marketing expenses by 40–60%, according to data from Influencer Marketing Hub. Once built, they require no travel, shoot days, or contracts,  just creative direction.

Key Considerations Before Hiring an AI Creator

A screen grab of Vodafone Germany's AI spokesperson.

• Transparency: Always disclose that an influencer is AI-generated to maintain consumer trust and avoid deception.

• Define their role: Clearly delineate what tasks your AI creator will handle versus human influencers. AI excels at repetitive, data-driven content; humans excel at nuanced, emotional storytelling.

• Monitor and manage: Continuously monitor audience sentiment and engagement. Be prepared to address ethical concerns or negative feedback promptly.

• Balance with human touch: Even with AI, invest in community management to foster genuine connections and provide human interaction where needed.

THIS WEEK'S PROMPT 🤖

Use this prompt with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any advanced AI assistant to explore the potential of AI influencers for your brand.

Act as a Brand Strategist specializing in AI-driven marketing. Your goal is to help me evaluate whether my brand, [Your Brand Name], should hire an AI influencer or spokesperson. My brand operates in the [Your Industry] sector and aims to [Your Brand Goal]

Consider the following aspects and provide detailed, actionable insights and prompts for each

1. Brand Fit & Persona Design

Suggest 3-5 potential AI influencer personas that would align with my brand’s values and target audience.

Provide a prompt to generate a detailed backstory, personality traits, and visual style guide for the most promising persona.

2. Pros & Cons for Your Brand

Analyze the specific advantages and disadvantages of using an AI influencer for my brand.

Provide a prompt to brainstorm potential negative public reactions and strategies to mitigate them.

3. Integration Strategy

Outline how an AI influencer could be integrated into the existing marketing mix.

Suggest scenarios where a hybrid approach (AI + human influencers) would be most effective and provide a prompt to develop a content calendar for this hybrid strategy.

4. Ethical & Transparency Guidelines

Propose clear guidelines for transparency and ethical use of an AI influencer.

Provide a prompt to draft a public statement announcing the AI influencer, emphasizing transparency and brand values.

MEME OF THE WEEK

HAVING FUN WITH AI 🤖

How are your 2025 fitness goals going? 

Here’s the prompt: Create a hilarious 3D render of a slice of pizza with little stick-figure arms and legs, looking panicked as it desperately tries to do crunches on a yoga mat. The room is a normal human gym, with other confused slices of pizza in the background on treadmills. The slice is visibly sweating cheese. Bright, cartoonish style.

WRAPPING UP 🎁

The decision to embrace AI influencers is not one to be taken lightly. While they offer compelling benefits in terms of control, efficiency, and reach, brands must navigate the complex landscape of authenticity, trust, and ethical responsibility. 

The most successful strategies will likely involve a thoughtful integration of AI creators alongside human talent, leveraging the unique strengths of each to build a more dynamic, engaging, and trustworthy brand presence.

As AI continues to evolve, so too will the role of these virtual personalities in shaping the future of marketing.

Until next time, keep exploring the horizon. 🌅

Alex Lielacher

P.S. If you want your brand to gain more search visibility in Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity, reach out to my agency, Rise Up Media. We can help you with that!