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A body positive influencer revealed her concern over a model who makes £9,000 a month – as she's not real.
Danae Mercer Ricci, 36, from the US, has been posting self-love content on Instagram for a number of years now. Through her relatable and candid content, the influencer and journalist has racked up a huge 2.3million followers.
She often tackles issues that women face online including the use of filters and editing that can create toxic beauty standards that many feel they need to try and live up to.
READ MORE: 'I've spent years showing women to embrace cellulite – but AI models terrify me'
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But, there's something fairly new that is gaining popularity and has started to bother Danae. The mum-of-one, who now lives in Italy, recently shared her worries over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on social media and previously admitted they 'terrify' her.
After years of helping women embrace their natural bodies, Danae is concerned of the rise of 'fake' women online – including AI influencer Aitana Lopez. The pixelated Spanish model was created by AI 'modelling agency' The Clueless.
According to their website, the agency is "an AI modeling agency that carefully curates thoughtful, long-lasting models that beautifully represent diverse personalities, taking the virtual world by storm with their authentic charm and lasting impact."
Although, Danae isn't too fond of the concept of an AI model and expressed her caution about the agency's star – '25-year-old' Aitana. Danae posted a video to her millions of followers about a "horrifying AI influencer update."
"This AI influencer makes around €10,000 (£8,600) a month – and she’s not even real," Danae wrote in a lengthy caption alongside the Instagram clip. "Meet Aitana Lopez, a Barcelona-based artificial intelligence influencer. Aitana shares her daily life – including recently ‘turning 25’, going to a Blink-182 concert, and her favourite cocktail.
"Even though she’s all computer generated. As for who is behind Aitana?
"It’s a guy. Mostly a guy, one who once ran his own influencer agency but got tired of ‘big egos’ and people that ‘pose a lot’. So he invented Aitana.
"And now he earns money off her content – including an adults only site, a Tiktok page, and her growing insta. This horrifies me in so many ways."
Danae believes that a man is making money from the female form and worries that AI models will become the new beauty standard. AI Aitana can make between "€10,000 a month" according to her creator, but is making an average of "€3,000 (£2,500)" through brand deals and platforms such as OnlyFans.
Danae claimed: "One, a man is making money off our bodies. But also, also also, THIS is the beauty standard our children will have to compete with. If brands are sponsoring fake women, and fake women are becoming increasingly popular online, where does it all stop?"
"I don’t know the solution," Danae concluded. "But I do know we must be informed and aware and protect our children. Be safe out there.
"Online is so darn far from real."
People were quick to comment on Danae's video where many others shared their concern about the growing presence of AI influencers.
"This is actually terrifying," one wrote. Another user added: "What blows my mind is that people WANT to follow a page like that. Why?!?"
While a third declared: "I wish there was an option to block all AI content like this from ever showing up for me." Someone else said: "And it promotes fakeness as a standard of quality… Not only affects children but real women."
But, not everyone was so put off by AI models. This user noted: "I honestly think it’s fascinating. Women exploit their bodies for money. Men exploit women. Men exploit men. I think it’s artistic.
"And he is making money. And no woman is being exploited. I think it’s a natural progression. Believe me I’m not happy about how our world is structured but this is kind of harmless and interesting to see as AI evolves."
Speaking to Euronews, Rubén Cruz, the founder of The Clueless AI 'modelling' agency, explained: "We started analysing how we were working and realised that many projects were being put on hold or cancelled due to problems beyond our control. Often it was the fault of the influencer or model and not due to design issues.
"We did it so that we could make a better living and not be dependent on other people who have egos, who have manias, or who just want to make a lot of money by posing."
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- Artificial Intelligence
- Body Positivity
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