A couple from Wales made a bold decision to quit their jobs and create a fake AI-generated influencer named Olivia C, who now financially supports them. Alvero and Rita ventured into the world of AI by entering Olivia C into the world’s first AI-generated beauty pageant, where she secured a commendable third place. Olivia C is presented as an ultra-realistic influencer on Instagram, showcasing a life of travel across various countries.
Despite Olivia C’s seemingly effortless social media presence, the reality is that Alvero and Rita work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring her to life. The couple, with over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, established a creative agency called Falamusa to manage Olivia C’s persona. Alvero shared in an interview with The Mirror that Olivia C was created as an experiment to explore AI technology and gauge people’s reactions to it.
While Alvero focuses on the marketing aspects of Olivia C, Rita utilises advanced technologies like Luma AI and Midjourney to enhance her appearance. Olivia C’s lifelike social media content earned her recognition when she clinched third place in the world’s first AI-generated beauty pageant, a competition focused on judging artificial models based on their looks, technical aspects, and social media influence.
This development comes at a time when brands are increasingly looking towards AI-generated models for promoting their products due to the cost-effectiveness and efficiency they offer. Educational platforms like Imagine Education have witnessed a surge in sign-ups for courses on creating AI influencers, providing opportunities for individuals interested in leveraging the influencer lifestyle without being public-facing creators.
The emergence of AI-generated models has sparked debates regarding the perpetuation of unrealistic beauty standards and the potential replacement of real-life models. Alvero emphasised that Olivia C is akin to creating a captivating fictional character, likening her to iconic figures like Mickey Mouse or Lara Croft. While there are certain resemblances between Rita and Olivia C, Alvero affirmed that their goal was to craft an engaging persona rather than delve into real beauty issues.
Looking towards the future, Alvero and Rita remain committed to utilising Olivia C for positive purposes, including collaborations with production companies and educational programmes to explore creative applications of AI. Despite acknowledging the profound impact of AI on various aspects of society, Alvero expressed optimism for its integration, drawing parallels to historical advancements like the advent of fire or photography leading to new artistic movements.
As the world navigates the evolving landscape of AI technology and its implications, Alvero and Rita’s journey with Olivia C exemplifies the innovative possibilities and adaptive nature of creative endeavours in the digital age.