In a fascinating development in the world of digital media, Aitana Lopez, a 25-year-old Spanish model with striking pink hair and a robust online following, is proving that the future of modeling might be virtual. Aitana, however, isn’t a real person but the creation of Spanish designer Rubén Cruz. Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence, Cruz has crafted a lifelike virtual personality, Aitana, who now earns a staggering $11,000 a month from her online activities.
Aitana represents a new era in digital influence, existing entirely as a product of AI without a real-world counterpart. She is a brainchild of Cruz’s AI model agency, The Clueless, designed to offer an alternative to traditional influencers who can sometimes be challenging to work with due to logistical and personal issues. Cruz and his team use Photoshop to meticulously curate Aitana’s presence online, creating content that resonates with her followers by giving her a backstory as a Barcelona-based fitness influencer and gamer.
The success of virtual models like Aitana is twofold; they can generate significant income through advertising and partnerships and offer a cost-effective alternative to brands that might otherwise engage expensive human celebrities. Aitana’s ability to attract brand deals is enhanced by her adherence to societal beauty norms, a strategy Cruz acknowledges is necessary to maintain commercial interest.
However, Aitana’s existence and the rise of AI-generated models also raise ethical questions about the authenticity of online personas and the potential for deepfakes and misuse. Despite these concerns, Cruz remains optimistic about the positive impact of AI in advertising, suggesting that virtual influencers like Aitana could reshape the marketing landscape by providing more controlled and cost-effective advertising solutions.
This shift towards virtual influencers marks a significant change in how brands engage with audiences, blending technology with traditional marketing strategies to create new forms of interaction that challenge our perceptions of reality and authenticity in the digital age.
