Modeling agency creates AI influencer earning up to $11,000 a month after getting fed up with model's 'egos'

A modeling agency has revealed why it decided to create an AI influencer opposed to booking real people.

It's not just robots and adult film stars who've been harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, but a modeling agency has since revealed it's also used the technology to ensure a smoother-running and more successful operation.

Modeling agency The Clueless, which is based in Barcelona, Spain, was founded in 2023 by Rubén Cruz.

After struggling to get many clients on board and seeing 'many projects' put 'on hold or cancelled', Cruz decided it was time to make a change - and a pretty drastic one at that.

He told EuroNews.Next: "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."

So, the agency decided to cut out influencers and models altogether, instead creating AI versions, having come up with two so far - called Aitana Lopez and Maia Lima.

Lopez is described as a 25-year-old from Barcelona, who is 'a strong and determined woman, independent in her actions and generous in her willingness to help others'.

The agency's website continues building a very detailed profile for Lopez - even including her star sign and passions.

And Lopez has seen the agency rake in some pretty hefty rewards, with EuroNews.Next reporting the model typically earns around $3,000 every month and sometimes even up to $11,000-a-month.

But how?

Well, alongside becoming the face of a sport supplement company, the AI model is reported as earning around $1,000 per advert and also relying on OnlyFans-style platform titled Fanvue.

Oh and she has over 100,000 followers on Instagram, many not realising she's actually an AI, with Cruz claiming a 'well-known Latin American actor' reached out to 'ask her out'.

Cruz explained: "In the first month, we realised that people follow lives, not images. Since she is not alive, we had to give her a bit of reality so that people could relate to her in some way.

"We had to tell a story."

'A lot of thought' has gone into the AI model and Cruz says it's paid off.

He added: "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."

And the sentiment has also been echoed by brands, Cruz says, noting the agency has had requests from brands for their own personalised model to represent their 'values' so there's 'no continuity problems if they have to fire someone or can no longer count on them'.

On its website, The Clueless describes itself as not just an 'AI modeling agency' but a group of 'visionaries on a mission to redefine the world of influencers.'

"Our goal is to transcend the conventional realm of modeling and lead the way in influencing, ushering in a new era characterized by authenticity, impact, and deep meaning." it continues to say.

So, what do you think?

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Technology

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.