In a groundbreaking turn for beauty pageants, Kenza Laylie, a computer-generated Moroccan ‘influencer,’ has claimed the title at the inaugural Fanvue World AI Creator Awards. This unique competition required much more than just good looks; Kenza’s victory highlights the increasing prominence and sophistication of AI influencers.
A new kind of competition
Kenza’s creators triumphed over 1,500 other computer-generated women to win the $13,000 prize. The judges, who were impressed by the advanced technology and compelling personality behind Kenza, emphasized that the contestants were evaluated based on their realistic appearances, technological prowess, and social media influence.
In her acceptance speech, Kenza’s creator expressed a strong commitment to advancing AI technology, inspired by this win. “Winning Miss AI motivates me even more to continue my work in advancing AI technology,” they said.
Meet the runners-up
The second-place winner was an AI named Lalina, known for her Instagram account that exudes “classy vibes with a touch of seduction” to her 93,000 followers. Olivia C, a Portuguese AI travel influencer who often showcases various global locations, secured third place. The runners-up will share the remaining portion of the $20,000 prize pool.
Kenza’s creators distinguished her from the competition by leveraging her advanced AI capabilities and impressive social media presence, with 190,000 Instagram followers. Kenza can interact in seven different languages and engage with fans in real-time, adding to her appeal.
The future of AI influencers
The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards aims to spotlight the AI influencer industry, a sector expected to be worth £1 billion by the end of the year. Will Monange, Co-Founder of Fanvue, expressed excitement about the future, noting the significant global interest in the awards.
Kenza’s technological edge
Sofia Novales, a judge and member of the team behind AI influencer Aitana Lopez, highlighted the importance of the technology behind the AI contestants. She noted that achieving consistent faces and good results with the hands is a significant challenge. Kenza’s unique appearance, diverging from typical beauty standards, impressed the judges due to its complexity.
Novales also pointed out the benefits of AI influencers in commercial applications. For instance, AI influencers can provide flexibility, speed, and cost efficiency, making them attractive to brands. She mentioned that Aitana Lopez recently signed a deal with Llongueras, a major Spanish hair salon chain, as AI models can easily adapt to frequent style changes.
The role of AI in the future
While Novales does not believe that AI will entirely replace human influencers, she sees them becoming increasingly common. “It’s not that robots are going to replace us,” she explained, “AI is a new skill that you have to have right now because, at the end of the day, it’s something that is really happening. AI will never replace the creative mind of a real person, but it can enhance your possibilities.”
The rise of AI influencers like Kenza Laylie showcases the blending of technology and creativity, setting the stage for a future where AI and human ingenuity coexist to create innovative and engaging content.