Rise Of The (Illegal?) Virtual Influencer- Death Of Human Influencers

Rise Of The (Illegal?) Virtual Influencer- Death Of Human Influencers - INSTAGRAM VS REALITY

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Virtual influencers are CGI influencers. Computer generated influencers.
But they really are more than just clever looking almost humans. These influencers have careers, personalities, preferences and curated histories and even relationships to reflect a real life person.
And brands are paying them big money to advertise their cosmetics, skincare and makeup.
But like real life influencers, they come with drama and i'm here to SPILL THE TEA.
From breaking the law, exploitation of black women and even fake SA stories, this videos explores the pros and mainly cons of virtual influencers.
00:00 Intro
00:38 Saturday Skin Sponsor
05:05 What Is A Virtual Influencer?
06:54 Are they actually popular?
07:54 Popular Virtual Influencers
10:10 What Brands Work With Virtual Influencers?
11:00 Dermalogica’s VI is actually cool
11:24 THE PROS
13:47 THE CONS
17:01 IS THIS EVEN LEGAL?!
18:20 VI Tea, Drama & Controversies
20:32 Fake Inclusivity?
23:40 What Do I Think?
25:13 Outro
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Пікірлер: 674

@pheenix135 2 жыл бұрын

I just don't see how you can advertise skincare if you don't have skin. Or vitamins if you don't have a liver. Or food if you don't have taste buds. Madness.

@sheilavillar2974 2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing, and it's creepy.

@strangegalaxy 2 жыл бұрын

But there is ads with Cartoons! ;)

@brttnyt 2 жыл бұрын

The idea makes me laugh. I refuse to acknowledge a "cartoon" showing me how well skincare works on their skin. I'll give them styling outfits, but I think that's where it ends for me

@ScarletteRose164 2 жыл бұрын

The ads are all so filtered anyway. At this point, I really can't tell the difference between the influence and AI lmao🤣

@pheenix135 2 жыл бұрын

@@strangegalaxy true but if Tony the Tiger told me Sunday Riley made his skin feel grr-eat I wouldn't believe him

@denaemichele 2 жыл бұрын

The virtual influencer telling a fake story about sexual assault makes me feel literally sick. I just feels so disrespectful and inappropriate.

@Stacyhdot 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely!!

@xCindyLouWhox 2 жыл бұрын

Because it is!

@frankiethorne4728 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly seeing that clip from the video made me feel like I was living in a Black Mirror episode. Not watching one - ACTUALLY existing in it.

@jenn8179 2 жыл бұрын

@@frankiethorne4728 for sure! or that movie, Surrogates!

@jenn8179 2 жыл бұрын

whoever had this idea...shame on you.

@ducky19991 2 жыл бұрын

I hate the whole virtual influencer thing so much, I was both horrified and intrigued when I first found Miquela. It just really rubs me the wrong way, we get advertised enough by real people, why are people letting CGI advertise to them… not to mention the illusion of “diversity” without actually supporting any real marginalized people. It really gives me the ick!

@puffball4484 2 жыл бұрын

I'm just shocked people found yet another way to spell Mikayla

@carriefernandez8705 2 жыл бұрын

>the illusion of “diversity” without actually supporting any real marginalized people we can't have those pesky minorities running around with their own opinions and experiences, we need versions of them that we control completely hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

@alli9300 2 жыл бұрын

Bro same! I found Miquelas account like 2 or 3 years ago and I probably was on it at least 2 hours a day for a week trying to figure out what the hell I was looking at. The photos of her interacting with real people fucking blow me away. That was such a weird "blurred lines" moment for me where I genuinely didn't know what was going on anymore.

@ducky19991 2 жыл бұрын

@@alli9300 yes exactly! And it was so new back then it was blowing my mind

@Lilnaomi3 2 жыл бұрын

For a long time people have let non-humans "influence" them. The 90's were the peak of this. I don't think I knew anyone who didn't associate Bart Simpson with butterfinger, it became part of his character. The Simpsons were used to promote many products and those things ended up being part of their world. Disney princess, Looney Tunes, and even Sailor Moon have done this. Sailor Moon has promoted makeup, contact lenses and condoms. None of these chracters were doing contained adverts but were part of wider promotions and campaigns. I'd say his argument about demonstrating products is very solid but I don't think these advertisers are looking for people who care about that. When a character describes the taste of something or wears animated makeup there is no way for it to be accurate. The marketers are most likely relying solely on fan support. Virtual influences aren't really any different than a long term mascot, they will just be retired sooner. The whole baiting and inclusivity thing is a whole other can of worms. Some people will feel seen and others feel comidified. It's just not good. Marketers see us as numbers, not people.

@TimeQuxxn 2 жыл бұрын

Barbie isn't a virtual influencer...... she really has a satirical self-awareness and influencer is just one of the many occupations she's had in doll world. The catch it that Barbie is incredibly aware that she's a doll and not a person lol that's why it's easy to stomach Barbie as a virtual influencer vs the CGI AI looking thing

@bishielurfer 2 жыл бұрын

Barbie also (at least from what I saw of the channel) never tried to sell you things. Yes, you could argue the whole thing is an advertisement for Barbie and her accessories, but even that I felt like was never really pushed that hard? Like it didn't feel like I was watching an ad when I saw her videos. At least not any moreso than watching any toy-related cartoon.

@autogatos Жыл бұрын

Plus Barbie is a well-designed and animated cartoon, created by artists who are clearly not trying to pass her off as “real” but are focused on designing an appealing stylized character. But THIS? This looks like…the default model that comes with some 3D modeling software. They went with a “realistic” style rather than a stylized cartoony one but it’s not good enough to actually look realistic so it just creates this uncanny valley effect. Ugh.

@bellekelly582 Жыл бұрын

Barbie's vibe and overall life just suits the whole virtual influencer thing

@cassualtea2040 Жыл бұрын

Barbie has more of the vibe of like... a vtuber I think. Stylized, plays a character, stays fixed in their lore rather than real life... its just that lifestyle vlog isnt really a niche that most vtubers are in for obvious reasons.

@leizylromero 2 жыл бұрын

What’s disgusting about the sexual assault story is no one who’s experienced sexual assault can comfortably share their story using memes and jokes. Some victims can’t even speak on it because sexual assault is traumatic experience. I felt like she was making fun of sexual assault victims. These virtual influencers are cartoons like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Cool art but completely insensitive to the groups they’re mimicking

@rubynibs 2 жыл бұрын

"He wanted to see how real I was"? _DEATH STARE_ I don't get offended, but the assault story mocks real victims and makes light of predatory behavior. The people involved in releasing that one need to be upbraided.

@bishielurfer 2 жыл бұрын

While I agree fabricating a story about something so sensitive and traumatic is horrific, I disagree with your statement that survivors can't share their stories using memes and jokes. For many of us, memes and jokes is how we cope with our trauma. People cope in different ways and it should be up to an individual how, when and if their story gets told (obviously that sadly doesn't always happen, and if you're someone with a platform it can get tricky in that you don't want how your story gets conveyed to be harmful to other survivors, but ideally it's something survivors should be in control of). What the creators did was super gross and inappropriate (especially since it was probably based on real stories). But I don't think it's fair to make a sweeping statement about real survivors and how they should/are supposed to share their stories.

@Elliotshmelliot Жыл бұрын

i mean personally i use jokes to cope with my SA and rape but i do still agree that its incredibly fucked for a CGI thing to share a completely fabricated story. i mean maybe if the CGI influencers were doing a campaign to share stories fron real survivors that were to afraid to speak out personally or to raise awareness it could be acceptable then but in the current state its completely disgusting.

@annhans3535 2 жыл бұрын

What on earth? This is scary. I think there needs to be laws to ensure you know when a non-human is trying to sell you something.

@JamesWelsh 2 жыл бұрын

100% agree

@rubynibs 2 жыл бұрын

The CGI influencers rub our faces in our corporate overlords. We're just...target groups, to be sold to, and to be manipulated emotionally, cognitively, even physically, by our corporate overlords. It's CREEPY! I've gotta go cry in a corner for a second...

@annhans3535 2 жыл бұрын

@@rubynibs 🤣YOu should read 1984 and Feed.

@rubynibs 2 жыл бұрын

@@annhans3535 _Feed_ by whom? As for 1984, it should be required reading for all kids, from the age of 13 and every year until the little bastards graduate high school. Those who choose to go to college in any major outside STEM should read it every semester, because it clearly hasn't sunk in to their little Marxist heads. (It's not a use of FORCE if it's required reading, is it? It'd be ironic to force kids to read 1984. "Read THIS, you little bastards, so you learn what freedom is! And if you refuse, I'll find a way to make you _want_ to read it -- especially you young women, the most easily manipulated creatures on the planet!") 😃😃

@Schneewittchen1310 2 жыл бұрын

@ann hans Especially ones that have no real skin or bodies, when they are selling you makeup and supplements...like wtf?!

@mollympls 2 жыл бұрын

it's super gross that these companies will create an entire person from scratch and go "oh we're so inclusive, look at our diversity!" and overlook all the BIPOC models they could hire who are living and breathing.

@literalmomfriend 2 жыл бұрын

That’s what I thought. That photographer said he created a black virtual model because there’s not enough dark skinned models in media… okay well then HIRE ONE ???

@kayla3751 2 жыл бұрын

The SA story is such a weird attempt to make virtual influencers “real.” It’s like brands think we’re actually going to forget these people are virtual, and it’s frankly pretty insulting.

@LyssaLumgairmermaid Жыл бұрын

Exactly.

@suzann77 2 жыл бұрын

Can we please lock these virtual influencers up in the Metaverse along with NFT's and start living in the real world again?

@drvren030 Жыл бұрын

please girl. and with artificial intelligence, it's only getting worse

@manifestationsofasort 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like brands are using virtual influencers for the sole fact that they don't want to pay people. Why work with someone who demands pay for their work when they could just work with a bunch of 1s and 0s that doesn't need money?

@augustuslunasol10thapostle Жыл бұрын

Much cheaper to pay a army of people a more then reasonable wage then one giga star and pay a army of people

@AKbaby89 Жыл бұрын

I'm disabled, and it's honestly crazy how many brands just straight up forget we even exist.

@ananyaneralla5382 2 жыл бұрын

My takeaway from this video: "I am not into fake people's drama, let alone real people's drama"

@Maialeen 2 жыл бұрын

It's so strange to say that a virtual influencer has "worked with many brands". How can you work when you don't exist? There's no "you". A brand has used a digital character, that's all that happened. It's creepy to try to pass it off as people and open social media sites for the thing so weirdos follow it.

@MoreCoffeePlease. Жыл бұрын

Yes!! And referring to them as “she” or “he” is normalizing language as well. They are not human and they don’t have a life or a job or traumatic human experiences. Holy sh*t this is wildly dangerous.

@helenelittmann8875 2 жыл бұрын

Actually some of the "real people" influencers are already so facetuned that they are halfway to being avatars.

@JamesWelsh 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe that’s why a lot of people dont realise these influencers were virtual 👀

@misshell2223 2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣 damn.

@raquelclenzi 2 жыл бұрын

so right 😆 people are starting to look like Sims

@meikahidenori 18 күн бұрын

@@raquelclenzi not quite, they look like the sims of people who LOVE to slather the game in Custom Content because they hate the style choice Maxis made. (They only look good in screenshots btw, they look a mess in game😅 kinda like real life where the uncanny just looks.... odd😂)

@retrogradepink 2 жыл бұрын

this just strikes me as so freaking stupid. it's like dressing up a doll, or drawing a very good picture of a woman, and pretending she's a real person. what the hell is wrong with people? it's just an image! yes, models also appear to us as 2D flattened images, but their job is to show us, who are real people, what products look like on other real people. we live so much in this 2D world that we can no longer see the difference between an image of something and the real thing? god help us.

@emoryleigh2716 2 жыл бұрын

I like KDA (the league of legends digital girl group) and of course Hatsune Miku really kicked off the trend of virtual singers/groups (as far as I know lol), but to me the biggest difference between those examples and most of these digital influencers is the style in which they are portrayed/rendered. With KDA and Hatsune, a person can look at their content and know immediately that they are not real. With these influencers, the line is becoming more and more blurred and therefore more and more dangerous. Most people have a difficult time catching filters being used in advertisements, and now with the introduction of these “influencers” it’s becoming harder to tell what is even a real person. Like, the technology and art is amazing and all, but it’s also very easily corrupted and used for manipulation. Reality is no longer being incorporated into a lot of advertisements and that is terrifying

@yanautau5041 2 жыл бұрын

Hatsune Miku, not Mimi 👍🏼

@emoryleigh2716 2 жыл бұрын

@@yanautau5041 thanks! Auto correct did not like her name lol

@lacytaylor1501 2 жыл бұрын

As someone who follows a lot of Vtubers, it's definitely strange seeing them using virtual avatars for selling products like this. It's one thing when someone is playing video games or singing, or something like that but to have the face of a product that's meant to be used on humans, being a virtual person who you can literally edit to look as you please, it's just so off putting.

@Ohmykitten 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, this one just went straight to uncanny valley cause they're so "real"

@lunargraph 2 жыл бұрын

there's also gorillaz! different approach but i think the idea is there.

@izzyizzi 2 жыл бұрын

JAMES THE THUMBNAIL 😭 scared the shit outta me 😂😭 👁👄👁

@JamesWelsh 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂

@Nyxgazer 2 жыл бұрын

I'm a programmer myself, so I absolutely don't hate technology or anything like that, but I do wonder how far this is going to go... With how much editing real influencers use it is already kind of hard to see the difference between some of these and the real ones. However, I'm very curious about how the world of tech will look like in 70-100 years (assuming we don't nuke ourselves into oblivion before that) Great video btw ❤️

@becca7327 2 жыл бұрын

Skynet

@temp_unknown 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, like I love the aesthetics, I'm not anti-technology at all!!! But if I'm going to buy a product that's going on my skin, I want a review from a real human, preferably with the same texture as mine. Honestly, even clothes would be cool, draping in CGI has come very far and it's not hard to actually make real clothes like CGI clothes. But CGI skin will never react like real people's skin.

@Noel.Chmielowiec 2 жыл бұрын

I love technology, but I'm curious about that too. For me virtual reality is for fun, not for serious things. But I understand that it doesn't look like that for everyone. And I agree with you, if we don't nuke ourselve. Or more, the govs won't nuke us, regular people.

@cassstephens9910 2 жыл бұрын

So... explain the interactions or appearances to me. As tho' I'm a really confused person...

@ciaramc5036 2 жыл бұрын

I am absolutely appalled by the mikayla SA story.. like as if influencer stories about their SA experiences is trendy or like a challenge or something.. feels like mockery honestly.. bad taste and just disgusting honestly Jesus christ

@cherryfairyy 2 жыл бұрын

This scares me. I'm not saying technology is a bad thing at all it can be used for amazing things. But with how corrupt our world is it scares me how advanced technology is getting. Like I saw a video about how they are using virtual reality on people with PTSD and addictions against their will to trigger them as "treatment"

@misshell2223 2 жыл бұрын

As treatment?!!😱🥺

@Graciegroo3 2 жыл бұрын

In the UK virtual reality is being trialled for mental health difficulties like PTSD to help virtually face situations they’re not ready to face in real life - totally voluntary though, I can’t imagine where they might be doing that against peoples will???

@faye95 2 жыл бұрын

exposure therapy is actually really helpful for the treatment of certain mental health conditions - this should always be consensual though, obviously. who posted the video? would be interesting to watch

@khoshanna 2 жыл бұрын

@@faye95 I think they might be referring to Virtual Reality Hell: The Amanda Dabb story by BJ investigates which talks about forced conservatorship and exposure reality treatment

@RubyBlueUwU 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah this is horrific, not in a “tech is bad” kind of way but in “mindless corporations going to insane lengths to brainwash kids” kind of way.

@OceanGirl481 2 жыл бұрын

This gives me vibes of some giant real world Sims game that these "behind the scenes" people are playing with their "influencers"

@dayramartinez1906 2 жыл бұрын

i was ten years old when gorillaz dropped their first album and it fascinated me, still does tbh. a virtual band like that i can get behind, they have their stories and personalities, they do shows and collabs (i think idk i don't follow them too closely anymore) but they are clearly not human and we kind of see the humans behind it. influencers already are a weird category of people to me, virtual influencers???? i don't even want to think too much about it lol it freaks me out how far virtual reality can go like turning the exception into the rule idk

@delusion5867 11 ай бұрын

The Gorillaz are presented as characters, whereas these "influencers" are presented as real people. The Gorillaz were never intended to represent actual people and I think that makes them more interesting, they are designed to be absurd characters. These "influencers" just creep me out and offer no substance.

@sydneywilliams4796 2 жыл бұрын

I hate it. We talk about how real influences can cause self esteem issues for individuals bc they frame their lives as if we see all of it and it’s entirely happy and golden and stress free. I can’t imagine having a literal perfect “influencer” would make people feel.

@Ash-op2ql 2 жыл бұрын

The assault story was just so crass and insulting. I don’t know who had several lapses in thought that made them think that was a good idea.

@emilymfv 2 жыл бұрын

Regarding the SA story: 20:00 victims sometimes use humor to alleviate trauma. It is quite common and dark humor can actually make things more digestible when it comes to sharing those stories with others (it kinda makes it into a third person point of view or it just allows the brain to tell the truth as if it were telling another anecdote) The humor in the video is not the problem, making up SA stories to seem more "relatable" or some shit is the problem. I haven't watched the video nor do I plan to do so because that is just disgusting. Making up these type of situations regardless of if the person is real or an A. I. is just so fucked up in so many levels

@mikailagray 2 жыл бұрын

I remember when lil miquela first became noticeable people were debating whether or not she was a real person because it was weird to think of fake person would just have a instagram page like that. That was years ago and since then I haven’t paid much attention because I do. It follow many brands or influencers and stuff. This stuff is very black mirror but it’s weird to have something selling you something it could never actually use because it’s a AI.

@tataboom13 2 жыл бұрын

When you say "a drink for your skin"... my dry psoriasis skin started SCREAMING like a fan girl 🙀

@JamesWelsh 2 жыл бұрын

😂🙏🏼

@Takapon218 2 жыл бұрын

Not the profile picture 💀💀💀💀💀

@Elliotshmelliot Жыл бұрын

omg your pfp 😂😂😂

@themightyquill560 2 жыл бұрын

People following influencers trust their opinion and see them/their life/their appearance as something to aspire to. But a virtual influencer? Can be made to look literally perfect. They don’t have a real opinion on the products. Plus, if they are making “diverse” virtual influencers to be a spokesperson of the brand, it takes away opportunities from real marginalized people.

@florencembah2626 2 жыл бұрын

So true

@teacherverina Жыл бұрын

What's worse is that while the CGInfluencer can't have an actual opinion, the person or people who program them certainly can. With human influencers, at least you can see and put a real face to the statements/opinions. How can you trust what a virtual influencer says if you don't actually know where/who those opinions are coming from?

@nadiahassan5307 2 жыл бұрын

In Japan Hatsune Miku changed everything when she became a massive pop star, and she did change things and became a massive fashion icon. Virtual influencers are coming but soon, like you pointed out, brands will resort to more mad things to make them interesting and that is just 🤦🏽‍♀️

@laneatkinson6441 2 жыл бұрын

Yes!! Miku is loveable because she is portrayed as a robot/digital being who wants to be human. It makes sense for her to take a digital form because her own voice is in the form of a computer program. She isn't trying to sell a product, she IS the product. Not only that, but the product itself allows for a huge range of artistic expression, meaning that each user gives her her own special meaning.

@carriefernandez8705 2 жыл бұрын

@@kai_fatallysapphic by that standard then Pikachu is an influencer, Nintendo will let anyone with enough money use Pikachu in an advertisement

@phoenixfritzinger9185 2 жыл бұрын

@@kai_fatallysapphic I mean all the vocaloid characters were originally intended for just advertising the voice synth software but then the fans got attached to the characters and gave them a life of their own

@MephistoAngel 2 жыл бұрын

Miku is creepy as hell! Ewwww

@greenthinggg 2 жыл бұрын

Miku is adorable

@pattycarljackson 2 жыл бұрын

I can never get behind these “fruit acids” because if a brand cant tell me the percentage of these acids then they should not sell it and claim they have these acids in them. They are most likely not doing anything at all.

@yumi_christina_masaki 2 жыл бұрын

As a Japanese person I think Hatsune Miku, Vtubers and virtual influencers all sit on the verge of the uncanny valley (depending on how well they're made and wielded), and I hate the uncanny valley so much. Hatsune Miku was, and still is to a lot of people, a means to showcase a talent. Lots of producers who started their career working with her are now huge singers or producers for real singers and groups. Vtubers are also widely popular and some of them have done TV commercials in Japan for some security software or whatever, something that doesn't change a person's appearance. Coming to virtual influencers...as long as the team behind them are not being focused on or showcased, I don't think there's any value to them. CGI Disney princesses are beautiful because there are top class teams working on them, but will they ever advertise cosmetics or clothes? No. Because the audience knows they're not real people.

@heatherduke7703 Жыл бұрын

They are so creepy looking, it’s awful. Barbie doesn’t count because she still looks like a carton which is ok

@drvren030 Жыл бұрын

honestly, i'm amazed at how patient and sweet james is being when discussing the problem with virtual influencers. huge kudos to how polite and patient he is with trying to see both perspectives here and be inclusive of everyone's opinions. i'm sorry james, but i can't be as patient. i gotta just put my thoughts out there. i'll just put it bluntly: it's taking something which human beings use for their personal fun and self-expression, and giving it to something inhuman. when you do that, everything in that space becomes inhuman, and can be used for toxic, inhuman purposes. if that message isn't enough for someone out there to understand, or makes someone feel offended, then you're part of that inhuman trend. congratulations. video games are meant to stay video games, not become engrained in reality. it's humans giving power to something else, like i'm sorry, how stupid is that? i sometimes imagine what aliens are thinking looking at the human race now just like : hey, this is hilarious, you know how stupid humans are? they got bored and started hating each other, and so they built another world called the digital world creating their own species of creatures and people, and kept preaching it will help them evolve and love and connect each other, when the creation of all of it came out of a place of insecurity, hatred and desperation. and they're putting all their time, effort and money into growing and developing this other world, instead of sticking together and taking care of their health and happiness.

@wolfsbane1991 Жыл бұрын

Guess I've been living under a rock because I've never seen a virtual influencer! Maybe because I'm a boring millenial and not on TikTok lol. I use Instagram for gardening stuff mostly. I think some of them look cute but making them pretend they've experienced assault is WAY out of line. Not okay.

@ladyday1972 Жыл бұрын

James I'm so happy you clarified about the lemon in skincare being safe. Hyram freaks out in every single video where there is lemon in the product and I always wondered why other than it being for theatrics 🍋

@angeljohnson3220 2 жыл бұрын

I am not at all interested in virtual influencers. I want to know what works from someone I trust (like you!) How can a VI show real results??

@LucielStarz123 2 жыл бұрын

Are they really” influencer”, or actually just “Mascot/Avatar” of the company that made them? I mean, their whole creation is to push the brands w/out the human authenticity- so can they really be called “influencers” if people already know they’re not real?

@eiremerald 2 жыл бұрын

This is my thought too. It’s an Avatar based ad.

@retrogradepink 2 жыл бұрын

yeah, they're not influencers. this whole concept is inane. i mean, this makes ronald mcdonald a fast food influencer. 🙄

@leonnahofer9138 2 жыл бұрын

Technically if it makes you purchase or use it then they have influenced you lol.

@lostandfond2163 2 жыл бұрын

Some people can’t tell though and they make them look so realistic and they have their own unique look and personality like for example micheala in specific most people can’t tell

@daniig62 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like so many people want to reach fame and lots of money by being influencers that companies are like…ok we can’t keep sending our entire product line to hundreds of people for nothing? Idk but I’ve never seen one that actually fooled me into thinking it’s a real person.

@shainaannx17 2 жыл бұрын

I've never heard of this and I'm baffled that there's nothing to regulate this, especially when it comes to selling legitimate products to people. 🤯

@smallbeginning2 2 жыл бұрын

Soon, ads will be so targeted that you will almost exclusively see models that look like you, especially in cosmetics. Different people walking by will see completely different things. Hideous. It's going to divide us, not unite us.

@lauralvw8445 2 жыл бұрын

You want to go back to only seeing white representation everywhere?

@Momo642VIP Жыл бұрын

I've thought about this before and it's so odd to imagine! like glasses with ai or augmented reality will have highly catered ads with our likeness

@SuzyKim84 2 жыл бұрын

The beauty calendar!🤯 Summer Friday’s, Saturday Skin, Sunday Riley, Monday Hair…🤣🤭👍❤️

@JamesWelsh 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@misshell2223 2 жыл бұрын

So true!! 😄🤗

@xAlicia21 2 жыл бұрын

Whenever i see Lil Miquela i hide the ad and block the stuff. They're so creepy and how would a cgi character know anything about a product? They'd be programmed to never say anything but good things about the product or service

@Leona8Cooper 2 жыл бұрын

I had no idea virtual influencers existed, and yet I've seen some of these ads! I just glanced at the ads and scrolled by, never thinking that they weren't real people. Honestly, it seems like a con publically taking place.

@tia7737 2 жыл бұрын

I actually wrote my senior bachelor’s thesis on this two years ago! Interesting to see the topic come up again in my inbox. Excited to watch this vid!!

@jeishiikanzaki 2 жыл бұрын

$30 for a cleansing balm 😭 It looks nice but my wallet isn't going to allow such an expensive part of a 2 step cleanse.

@Kitykitycoco 2 жыл бұрын

We as a society have been having this discussion since 2001. Look up "final fantasy spirits within". A lot of people said similar things, that cgi will replace actors because its easier and cheaper (somehow??). The fact is, this is a niche form of marketing that will only resonate with some people, not others. I don't think it's going to replace regular influencers who, in reality are the cheaper and easier option. As an animator I'm begging yall, there are a team of people still behind this. Animators, writers, riggers, moddlers. Fuckloads of IT people because this is all being through digital media. Not to mention there will be constant need to upgrade graphics. You talk about how realistic it looks, and to the average person it probably does. But people said that about games 10 years ago. And 10 years before that. In 10 years, these models will have aged like milk and we'll have another wave of people using cgi to advertise and promote things. We will have this conversation again someday. But remember; People panicked that vtubers would ruin real streamers, that isnt true People said vocaloid edm would replace real musicians, that didn't happen People thought cgi would replace real actors. You get my point.

@florencembah2626 2 жыл бұрын

I really do, real influencers aren't going anywhere, these fakes once are just having a phase, lol

@cake6377 2 жыл бұрын

Didn't FF The spirit within actually bombed since the story is meh but the cost for its CGI was too great? What I mean is um, it's not that cheap ngl

@ghoulchan7525 Жыл бұрын

i remember seeing Lightning from FF13 in a fashion magazine. it was quite weird.. because she's a video game character but she was also used to promote a clothing brand. guess Square needed the money to fund the game. part of me is amused to see them use a videogame character to model a collection tho.

@weedywendy4266 2 жыл бұрын

great point, james. plenty of real models out there waiting to be discovered! and, i feel so *NO* about an artificial human selling me vitamins or make up 😐

@BrigitteDiessl 2 жыл бұрын

The whole idea behind virtual influencers kind of makes my skin crawl. When you told that story about the SA in the taxi that just made me angry. It's making a mockery of the entire human experience. I watch you because I've watched you for quite a while, I like the way you come across in your videos and I trust your advice. As a New Zealander, it's always refreshing to find British influencers. I also watch Robert and the Welsh Twins channel. Your twins channel always lifts my mood especially in the middle of winter (now in NZ.) I watch all sorts of different channels or don't watch others because I enjoy the content and the personalities. CGIs only have the "personalities" their creators give them. It's not real.

@TiyasGlamLounge 2 жыл бұрын

Virtual ‘influencers’ = cartoons. They can never replace actual people. I can’t imagine how naive someone has to be trust their ‘opinion’?!!

@mrkmaker 2 жыл бұрын

I'd definitely want a virtual influencer, so I could remain anonymous in real life.

@Chowderchef 2 жыл бұрын

Holy crap, I know about like vtubers but those are very blatant since a lot are anime girl avatars with real people behind them to hide their identity and just having fun, I didn't know about these😬 The fact they are associated with makeup, skincare, etc etc is actually kind of morbid

@patheticmortal373 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Vtubers pretty much just sell their merch and music. It's a real person but with a fancy icon. But to have fake "real" people who is just a group of sales and marketing teams coming together to sell a product that has effects that don't exist. Nah.

@scarletleigh7273 2 жыл бұрын

Literally the first time I've heard of this and I absolutely don't see how there's any consumer benefit. Like yeah, if you want to put something in front of the eyes of impressionable youngsters, it will work as good as anything...But a lot of people look for reviews, not ads...if the reviewer doesn't have skin to review skincare, it's just another ad 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ I don't think these will be getting major anytime soon since there's no real consumer benefit

@tomaandkile 2 жыл бұрын

I never really minded Miquela because they were always extremely transparent about her being a "robot" I just kinda saw her as a more realistic looking version of vocaloids. I found following the little story they make for her kinda fun even. But I definitely don't want them to be everywhere. How are you supposed to know how a product will look on you, a real person, if it's not being modeled by a real person?

@april4524 2 жыл бұрын

agreed

@temp_unknown 2 жыл бұрын

This is how I know I'm getting old, and I'm not even 30 yet. Cause girl what is this😂

@Noel.Chmielowiec 2 жыл бұрын

I know, right? I get it if it was for fun, but for serious things? Old-but-not-even-30 club here 😂

@brigitte9999 2 жыл бұрын

In my opinion advertising and media start to be sus when actresses took over magazine covers. I remember when models were on magazine covers. Virtual reality devalues humanity.

@joannahelmer5637 2 жыл бұрын

I am not a fan of virtual influencers and to be honest it kinda freaks me out. There is no way they can give us the same thing as the real person. Anyway love your videos Peace and love to you and your family 💜🧡💜

@PHlophe 2 жыл бұрын

Johanna, they are getting those ready for the Metvaverse , meaning anyone under the age 8 currently byt the time they are 16 its the norm. in their lives.

@iGotBulletproof-Insomnia 2 жыл бұрын

This reminds me of Korean and Japanese music companies producing virtual idols with backstories, scandals, and albums. Fun to engage with, but not very practical. It's not **real**.

@sabrinae.6361 2 жыл бұрын

That’s scary that people are even entertaining the idea of a “virtual influencer”… it’s a form of brain conditioning, in my opinion.

@claireberesford2307 2 жыл бұрын

What?! This is new to me. As if we don't already have unattainable beauty standards. Like you said, how can we trust a product if its all fake! 😨

@TheEagleslover 2 жыл бұрын

It just all boils down to how greed will make folks do anything! It’s disgusting!

@nicodranasien Жыл бұрын

The mere concept that there are completely fabricated “people” virtual influencers is insane to me… incredible how this is legal but i see the line between art and commercialism is getting blurred to oblivion…. Im just speechless i had no ide this was a thing

@debpalm8667 2 жыл бұрын

I'm more inclined to handsome, beautifully bearded, and honest influencers.

@MoonStoneChannel 2 жыл бұрын

I don't like virtual influencers. To watch something made of animation talking to me...no, thanks. We want real people and it doesn't bother me if they have dark past or scandals. We all have dark secret on the end.

@sarushamcreates 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve been seeing ads/sponsored posts on Instagram from these virtual influencers. Honestly, they remind me of the movie “Simone” and of Aki Ross from the movie “Final Fantasy: the Spirit Within”. Both movies are from the 2000s I think.

@leonnahofer9138 2 жыл бұрын

I loved that movie and it was the first time I’ve ever seen something look so “life” like. Edit: I am talking about the Final Fantasy movie.

@tdelioncourt1268 2 жыл бұрын

@@leonnahofer9138 they actually planned to make the main character an actress that woudld play in different films, make magazine covers etc. but the project was too ambitious for the tiime

@phoenixfritzinger9185 2 жыл бұрын

They did the same thing later with Lightning from FFXIII

@sarushamcreates 2 жыл бұрын

@@tdelioncourt1268 I only found out about that when I saw Nostalgia Critic’s review of the movie.

@baileydubs 2 жыл бұрын

After listening to y’all’s podcast about this, I’ve been noticing a lot of these models who aren’t real people in advertising 😱

@callwyse 2 жыл бұрын

I don't care for this virtual influencer aspect. It's unnerving. Thank you for the TINA link. What is needed is real human presentation. It should never be "fake". Perfection doesn't exist !!!!!

@efolinsky 2 жыл бұрын

The brand peach slices is so good! It’s the affordable version of peach and lily which is also one of my favorites!

@Goat.Cheese 2 жыл бұрын

Have you compared the Peach Slices 95% snail essence to the CosRX 96% snail power essence? I'm not sure which one to try! I'm new to snail products

@eidelrose Жыл бұрын

Honestly, I can see digital influencers being used to mode clothing- especially since the development of 3D software in fashion design makes this somewhat easy, though it is a recent development.

@christinedelman887 2 жыл бұрын

I've never seen a virtual influencer. I really don't watch many influencers at all. I think 3 total lol. You're the only one I take skin care advice from, and my face has never looked better, as for make-up, just Robert and Mrs melissaM. I can't see how the virtual ones can be legal! At the very least, it's dishonest! Love you

@refinnej5302 Жыл бұрын

I love that cleansing balm! It feels so good & doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy!

@vandna.tilwani 2 жыл бұрын

The amount of research you do for your videos & the topics you bring to discuss is outstanding. Never really thought about Virtual Influencers this way. You are the best example of an Influencer which can never be replaced by any CGI.

@magpiesneedle2575 2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate how you bring things to light that we may not have an inkling of and explain it so clearly and unbiased sharing pros and cons, good and bad. A lot of work must go into these real videos by you and your ‘team’. Kudos to you and all who make channel so damn good.

@randi_bee 2 жыл бұрын

Hi James!! Happy to see a new video to watch while I'm getting ready 😍❤️🙏🏼🙌🏼

@blackrosenuk 2 жыл бұрын

The way you tie in sponsors, I really like. Showing yourself using the items and mentioning little personal notes is helpful. I appreciate how you also say "sponsor." I've never seen a virtual influencer. I find it all a bit odd, especially if they "show" the usage of products, i.e., skincare "results." No thanks.

@mypathunfolding 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't know this was a thing - thank you for bringing it up!

@vickycastillo9214 2 жыл бұрын

As someone that kinda comes from a different type of medium. This is suuuper interesting. I come from more of a musical background and we also have such thing as virtual musicians. So it’s very interesting to see how depending on the medium, perspectives change. I personally loooove virtual musicians but that’s probably bc it hardly gets ugly. We just don’t have the same problems that you beauty people do. I can see how it affects greatly this industry and how it can get ugly real fast. On the other hand, I think that if done properly they can be awesome. Probably the biggest mistake that the beauty industry is making here is making them human when they are simply not. Here in the music industry, we have things such as Vocaloids and Utaus (for setting an example) which mainly serve the purpose of a face and a artificial voice. It allows for creativity and story telling without pushing the actual program into drama. Bc they are not humanized in the same way, the way they impact our world is different. Our programs are more of a community thing rather than a full on marketing thing. Musicians are proud of how far our programs for virtual artist have come and are very aware of the people behind it. However the beauty community comes with a lot of natural drama, and I can see how it can be done very wrong.

@denaemichele 2 жыл бұрын

Weirdly my order of the Saturday Skin Cleansing Balm just arrived in the mail, and it came with a free sample of the sleeping mask! Can't wait to use them.

@victoriaheed2943 Жыл бұрын

James I love how professional and academic your videos are when delivering this kind of content but still have your personality shine through. Your voice has a nice, easy listening tone too. You are honestly the epitome of informative, well researched and interesting content creators. Then we have your totally childish hilarious side of you on The Welsh Twins channel, I bloody love you! I bet you are an awesome friend to hang out with. Great video and gorgeous skin! ❤️🙏🏼😘

@katebowes1 2 жыл бұрын

James I just need to say you were absolutely born to do this I just love you 🥰

@floranstr_995 2 жыл бұрын

Such an interesting video! Thank you James x

@SlothDaan 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know, a lot of these virtual influencers really border on uncanny valley. They're creepy and it's fake advertising. However, with photoshop and filters nowadays, I am not sure how much is different. I find using photoshop, just as fake as a virtual influencer. Most of these instagram models won't be regocnized in real life because they don't look like themselves..

@SimplyCheryl 2 жыл бұрын

James great video this was so interesting and something I knew very little about! ❤️

@moodymermaid3690 Жыл бұрын

The only virtual influencer I enjoy is Barbie, lol. A little girl I babysat for loved all things Barbie, including the vlogs on the Barbie channel. It honestly made me feel better, too, to the point that I'll still watch some of them whenever my depression hits the lows again.

@naomimarie6396 Жыл бұрын

I remember seeing a video a long long time ago about miquela and seeing that she was a real girl but they Edit her pics to look like AI. I remember seeing somebody else posted a pic of her ‘normal’ before she became popular

@marieheymann6730 8 ай бұрын

I know this might be a weird thing to say, but your videos are the only one that help with my insomnia and I love it! Whenever I know I might not be able to fall asleep, I turn on your videos and I just get an instant comfort from hearing your voice talking about skincare, make up and all the needed gossip. But in a good way! Like it’s very interesting and great content, but at the same time just so relaxing. Like listening to someone telling you a good night story lol.

@katiesmith1062 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve always wandered, if there was an apocalypse and you had to take only your all time favorites for the absolute perfect routine, which products would you take? Cause I want to buy them. 😂 Thank you for always putting forth honesty and hard work!! You’ve helped me make some choices about my skin care that have been transforming. ❤️

@KiPisMe 2 жыл бұрын

I freaking LOVE a double cleanse starting with a make up removing balm! Every night when I take off my make up I give a nod to James for the advice!

@shortcake66 2 жыл бұрын

Same. And every time l skip a step I worry that James will somehow know, and be disappointed in me. Like skincare Santa

@vesislavaofficial Жыл бұрын

Any brand who will use a virtual influencer to promote their product will loose me as a costumer. I can't stand to look at them. Even the hyper realistic ones bring such a horrible feeling in my gut. Looking at their "not so human" eyes just gives me the creeps, and I don't want my money to promote this trend.

@chelseame2105 2 жыл бұрын

Before I even hit play, your thumbnail CREEPS me out! Haha good job at the uncanny valley look

@elizabethcrossley6853 2 жыл бұрын

This was awesome james ♡

@AliceSylph 2 жыл бұрын

Product recommendation: got gifted the youth to the people superfood air-whip moisture cream from cult beauty in my last order and is my new evening moisturiser. It may be more of a winter cream for some, but my sensitive skin really loves a thick moisturiser at night. I know you rate the superfood cleanser, I tried it as per your recommendation and love it also. I tend to stay away from "food" type skincare (probably because of yestoo), but youth to the people and glow recipe are really changing my mind

@kara.buddrius 2 жыл бұрын

I love Saturday Skin! The Glacier Waterfall Cream and the Yuzu Vitamin C Bright Eye Cream are my favorite products. The Carrot Niacinamide moisturizer is amazing as well!🤩🤩

@gabi.genova 2 жыл бұрын

Love your take on this 💖

@aerohead21 2 жыл бұрын

This background is a whole mood ❤️🥰😍 I love it!

@loveit7484 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video!

@sandra37cooks 2 жыл бұрын

Your skin looks amazing today!

@KaraN-ug9lt 2 жыл бұрын

LOL!!! I was just sitting her thinking unless James is referring to Barbie I don't know any virtual influences... a second later Barbie pops up on screen lol! All of this went way over my head... 😰

@microsoftpainenthusiast8096 2 жыл бұрын

I mean, we already have our favourite characters from videogames, movies and animated movies/books and they all are kinda... virtual? And they too may try to sell us something. Maybe someone is into it, but for me, we have enough real fake people 😅

@clauddiamartinez9411 2 жыл бұрын

Really interesting James, I did not know this existed 😳

@marsy6359 2 жыл бұрын

James, would you consider reviewing/finding the best of western drugstore brands like loreal, olay, etc? What makes me think if this a neutrogena serum ive been looking at buying with a promising ingredients list: glycerin, panthenol, and what looks like aquaxyl (xylitilglucoside, anhydroxylitol, xylitol). Its their hyaluronic acid serum and their bright boost serum also looks interesting. I think skincare nerds tend to overlook these brands (they can be very hit or miss) but theyre so accesible and often have interesting patented ingredients/complexes and the brands fuel a lot of research. Cheaper brands like simple, which ive seen you review a couple things from, garnier, etc. Ps, anyone have good experiences with facetheory? Im tempted to pick up their azelaic serum and retin-c oil. Sorry this comment isnt video-related! Thanks!

@jackEXR 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure the first virtual influencer ever was Hatsune Miku lmao. She been a thing since 2007, even tho she was created to be an idol that thing can sell anything with its face attached to it.