Another brilliant article! I had no idea virtual influencers were a thing! So much is happening, so fast. My question here is: do businesses really need this type of scalable, unstoppable marketing engines? How much can people consume to begin with? Or is people’s consumption capacity not a factor here?
That’s such a thoughtful question, Sabine. I think we’re reaching a saturation point where attention, not consumption, becomes the real currency. The issue isn’t how much people can consume, but how brands compete for the same finite slice of human attention. Virtual influencers might make marketing more scalable, but not necessarily more meaningful … and that’s where the real challenge lies.🦊🎓
So fascinating. It’s true, we are all asking for each other’s attentions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge !!! Cheers to meaning and true connection.
I’m watching this shift with a mix of curiosity and concern. On one hand, I believe in the value of human-led storytelling. But on the other hand, I’ve seen how quickly people get used to simulated voices, especially when the message is wrapped well.
Coming from Russia, I’ve seen how mass communication adapts and redefines what feels “normal” within a very short time. Marketing is not immune to this either.
Thank you, Maria. Our study found that Gen Z still tends to trust real people more than virtual influencers. That’s a positive sign. You can also see a growing backlash toward analog and authentic experiences. That gives a lot of hope. 🦊🎓
I really want to believe that, too. It’s encouraging to see signs of pushback against synthetic perfection and a renewed appetite for real, human-led experiences. At the same time, I can’t help but notice how quickly mass adoption happens when something becomes trendy and efficient. The speed is fascinating, and a bit scary.
I just hope that those of us who bring deep expertise, creative thinking, and the ability to use AI as a tool (not a crutch) will still be visible and valuable in this evolving landscape. It would be a shame if true craftsmanship becomes a niche.
That’s such a thoughtful point, Maria. I share that hope completely. AI should amplify craftsmanship, not replace it. The real challenge now is to keep depth and creativity visible in a world that rewards speed.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how technology amplifies our ability to connect, but it can’t replicate the trust that grows from imperfection and empathy. The idea of “the human signal” really resonates. It’s a great reminder that even as we design smarter systems, authenticity will always be our most powerful differentiator.
Beautifully said, Sherry. I completely agree. Technology can extend our reach but not replace the emotional depth that comes from imperfection and empathy. The human signal is what keeps meaning alive in a world of intelligent systems. And honestly, I am glad it stays that way. At the same time we are only at the very beginning of this technological cycle. In seven to ten years it might become impossible to tell humans and their virtual twins apart, perfect or imperfect. That will not only challenge marketing communication but society as a whole. 🦊 🎓
This is a really creative and productive use case for virtual influencers: "Imagine a campaign where a real creator introduces a topic and their virtual twin continues the story across languages, formats, and time zones. 24/7 engagement without burnout." Hadn't thought of that specific point before. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Courtney. I really believe this hybrid model will define the next chapter of influencer marketing. Human creators bring emotion and context while their virtual twins bring reach, scale and continuity. I can also imagine other use cases for models, politicians or even professors like myself. It is collaboration, not replacement, and it will completely change how we think about presence and communication. 🦊🎓
Fantastic article Andreas, thank you! I wonder if these virtual influencers will also face any backlash from the expected drive to analogue from some Gen Z audiences?
Our study shows that Gen Z places significantly more trust in real influencers. But you make a brilliant point. There is a growing counter movement toward analogue, authenticity, (from SlowAI to NoAI, at least a timeout sometimes). The more digital their environment becomes, the more Gen Z will value what feels human. That tension could become one of the most fascinating cultural shifts in marketing over the next decade.
Another brilliant article! I had no idea virtual influencers were a thing! So much is happening, so fast. My question here is: do businesses really need this type of scalable, unstoppable marketing engines? How much can people consume to begin with? Or is people’s consumption capacity not a factor here?
That’s such a thoughtful question, Sabine. I think we’re reaching a saturation point where attention, not consumption, becomes the real currency. The issue isn’t how much people can consume, but how brands compete for the same finite slice of human attention. Virtual influencers might make marketing more scalable, but not necessarily more meaningful … and that’s where the real challenge lies.🦊🎓
So fascinating. It’s true, we are all asking for each other’s attentions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge !!! Cheers to meaning and true connection.
Thank you, Sabine, for following along and sparking the discussion here on Future of Marketing. Yours, Andreas
I’m watching this shift with a mix of curiosity and concern. On one hand, I believe in the value of human-led storytelling. But on the other hand, I’ve seen how quickly people get used to simulated voices, especially when the message is wrapped well.
Coming from Russia, I’ve seen how mass communication adapts and redefines what feels “normal” within a very short time. Marketing is not immune to this either.
Thank you, Maria. Our study found that Gen Z still tends to trust real people more than virtual influencers. That’s a positive sign. You can also see a growing backlash toward analog and authentic experiences. That gives a lot of hope. 🦊🎓
I really want to believe that, too. It’s encouraging to see signs of pushback against synthetic perfection and a renewed appetite for real, human-led experiences. At the same time, I can’t help but notice how quickly mass adoption happens when something becomes trendy and efficient. The speed is fascinating, and a bit scary.
I just hope that those of us who bring deep expertise, creative thinking, and the ability to use AI as a tool (not a crutch) will still be visible and valuable in this evolving landscape. It would be a shame if true craftsmanship becomes a niche.
That’s such a thoughtful point, Maria. I share that hope completely. AI should amplify craftsmanship, not replace it. The real challenge now is to keep depth and creativity visible in a world that rewards speed.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how technology amplifies our ability to connect, but it can’t replicate the trust that grows from imperfection and empathy. The idea of “the human signal” really resonates. It’s a great reminder that even as we design smarter systems, authenticity will always be our most powerful differentiator.
Beautifully said, Sherry. I completely agree. Technology can extend our reach but not replace the emotional depth that comes from imperfection and empathy. The human signal is what keeps meaning alive in a world of intelligent systems. And honestly, I am glad it stays that way. At the same time we are only at the very beginning of this technological cycle. In seven to ten years it might become impossible to tell humans and their virtual twins apart, perfect or imperfect. That will not only challenge marketing communication but society as a whole. 🦊 🎓
This is a really creative and productive use case for virtual influencers: "Imagine a campaign where a real creator introduces a topic and their virtual twin continues the story across languages, formats, and time zones. 24/7 engagement without burnout." Hadn't thought of that specific point before. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Courtney. I really believe this hybrid model will define the next chapter of influencer marketing. Human creators bring emotion and context while their virtual twins bring reach, scale and continuity. I can also imagine other use cases for models, politicians or even professors like myself. It is collaboration, not replacement, and it will completely change how we think about presence and communication. 🦊🎓
Fantastic article Andreas, thank you! I wonder if these virtual influencers will also face any backlash from the expected drive to analogue from some Gen Z audiences?
Our study shows that Gen Z places significantly more trust in real influencers. But you make a brilliant point. There is a growing counter movement toward analogue, authenticity, (from SlowAI to NoAI, at least a timeout sometimes). The more digital their environment becomes, the more Gen Z will value what feels human. That tension could become one of the most fascinating cultural shifts in marketing over the next decade.
Thanks Andreas. Will be great to follow your studies on this as well. 🙏
Thank you very much, Sam 🦊🎓