With the advancement of technology, robots have become a reality in the human world. They are no longer confined to only novels and science fiction movies. The development of science and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) has resulted in the rise of online personalities on various social media platforms. Wondering who these online personalities are? These are Al influencers. Millions of people across the globe including children have taken to various social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube to interact and remain connected with different online personalities.
What are Al influencers?
Al influencer is an online personality created through computer-generated imagery (CGI) by Al tech companies. These online personalities are virtual fictional characters that possess the features and characteristics of real-world human beings. These artificially created virtual influencers can move, walk, jump and mimic emotions just like human beings. The Al influencers present a picture perfect life to the target audience.
The emergence of virtual influencers in the online world has given rise to a new industry known as influencer marketing. In this marketing strategy, brands and businesses make use of virtual influencers to engage their prospective customers and attract them towards buying their products.
These online brand avatars are virtual and do not exist in the real-world. Many young children who are on social media follow these Al influencers.
Why are parents concerned?
With the increasing popularity of Al influencers, more and more young children are getting hooked to them. These digital personalities, that are just like humans empower brands and businesses to communicate any information or message to the target audience, mostly youngsters. The Al influencers have the potential to influence the minds of youngsters. This takes them away from the real-world into the world of fantasy and illusion. Here are the most popular online personalities and the number of followers they have on Instagram.
1) Lil Miquela (Miquela sousa) – 3 million+
2) Noonoouri – 371.5k
3) Imma – 333.4k
4) Bermuda – 297.3k
5) Blawko – 155.7k
Considering so many followers of Al influencers on just one social media platform, parents need to ensure that their children are protected against fake Al influencers. Children must know about the reality of Al -powered virtual influencers. For this purpose, digital literacy of children is a must.
Technology literacy of youngsters – A responsibility of parents
1) Making children aware about the truth
In an effort to promote digital literacy amongst children, parents must make their children aware about the truth. Children must be educated that Al influencers are only computer generated models and such things do not exist in the real-world.
2) Enabling children to differentiate between the real and fictional world
Digital literacy about the virtual avatars and unrealistic expectations set by them allow children to differentiate between the real and virtual world. With technology literacy, children can easily know what is right and what is wrong for them.
3) Verifying the profile of an Al influencer
Before following any virtual influencer or any social media platform, parents must teach their kids to first verify the information of the Al influencer from their profile. There are many fake online personalities in the market which children easily fall prey to.
4) Let children know why AI influencers are created
It is vital for parents to communicate to their children the real reason why virtual influencers are created. The idea behind AI influencer as a marketing tool must be explained to the children.
Being a responsible parent, it is necessary for you to educate your children about the reality of AI influencers. Do you want to teach your children more about artificial intelligence and its sub-fields, explore our AI courses that not only would provide best learning exposure but also impart practical knowledge to them.