Hollywood is being revolutionized, but now, a new player is entering the game: AI. This shift is poised to dramatically alter the landscape for content creators and influencers. The rise of AI video generators like Sora 2 has sparked a flurry of questions about the future of content creation. How will this technology, which allows for the rapid production of realistic videos, reshape a world built on the painstaking process of manual video creation?
For many influencers, the advent of AI is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it represents a powerful new tool for content delivery, potentially expanding their reach and creative possibilities. On the other hand, it threatens the very skills that have made them successful: the ability to shoot, edit, and produce compelling video content. But here's where it gets controversial... The ease with which anyone can now create professional-looking videos could erode the value of influencers' expertise.
This concern has ignited a grassroots movement. Artist Sam Yang, with nearly 2 million YouTube subscribers, has been vocal about the dangers of generative AI. He argues that AI models are trained on artists' copyrighted work without consent, leading to potential reputational damage, forgery, and fraud.
Model and activist Sinead Bovell, who has a combined 600,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, has also sounded the alarm, particularly within the modeling industry. She warns that as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, we may lose sight of whether real human models are being compensated for their likeness and the years they spent honing their craft.
An investigation by The Atlantic confirmed these fears. It revealed that AI has been trained on at least a million how-to videos from popular influencers, potentially enabling anyone to replicate their work and build their own following. This raises significant questions about copyright, intellectual property, and the future of creative labor.
However, not everyone views AI as a threat. Some argue that the increasing accessibility of video creation will shift the focus to human qualities like relatability and unique style, areas where influencers already excel. And this is the part most people miss... They point to the success of virtual influencers like Aitana López and Lil Miquela, who have coexisted with human influencers, demonstrating that AI and human creativity can thrive together.
AI will likely intensify competition in the influencer world, increasing the 'slop factor.' However, it could also push human influencers to emphasize their unique strengths. After all, the ability to connect with an audience on a personal level is a skill that AI can't easily replicate.
What do you think? Will AI empower or undermine content creators? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
