The rise of CGI Influencers: Redefining brand story telling

While skimming through Instagram feed imagine seeing a charming fashion influencer with a perfect style, ideal lighting, and spellbinding captions, and all of a sudden realizing that it's a Computer-Generated Image (CGI) and not a real human.

To begin with, welcome to the modern age of virtual influencers. An era where avatars are powered by artificial intelligence hence, reinventing how labels bridge with the target audience. Therefore, the question is, are brands ready for the next-gen creators to develop their brand presence? With the growing virtual landscape generative AI tools are becoming more polished.

Next-Gen creators are emerging as novelties and powerful voices in marketing media, and community engagement. According to YouTube's 2025 Culture & Trends Report, AI-powered influencers are drawing millions of views and reshaping global brand strategies. This blog explores who these digital creators are, how they're influencing content and culture, and why businesses should pay attention.

So, who are Virtual Influencer in definition:

Virtual influencers are CGI personas created with the help of artificial intelligence. They reside on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, forming communities, expressing opinions and endorsing products. They can take on different forms, from heavily stylized cartoon-like figures to images that are so realistic it can be hard to tell them apart from humans.

Avatars, such as Lu do Magalu and Noonoouri, have amassing enormous followings and have begun a redefinition of influencer marketing. They don’t age, go on breaks, or go off-brand unlike humans, or at least human creators. Features, such as consistent availability, and exceptionally adaptable attributes that traditional influencers often struggle to maintain. Their virtual nature allows brands to control every aspect of their personality, behavior, and content, creating a new era of perfectly curated digital spokespeople.

The economic benefits of virtual influencers

Beyond their cultural significance, they can be highly lucrative, with top content creators earning millions. It is estimated that the annual income of Lu do Magalu, considered one of the world’s most famous virtual influencers, makes around US$ 16 million from sponsored Instagram posts alone.

Moreover, none of revenue generated needs to go towards compensating the influencer for their time, travel expenses or any other of the costs associated with humans.

And unlike humans, they can engage with audiences around the clock without needing breaks. This constant availability means they can endorse more products than a human influencer, with added visibility and engagement across different parts of the world.

Analysis of Market Size & Trends

The Global Virtual Influencer Market size is expected to reach $37.8 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 38.1% CAGR during the forecast period.

Fashion brands leverage these influencers to showcase their collections and products. Through high-quality visual content, these influencers can highlight clothing, accessories, and lifestyle items in a captivating and aspirational manner. Therefore, the fashion & lifestyle segment captured $1,214.1 million revenue in the market in 2022. They serve as trendsetters and fashion-forward figures, showcasing the latest styles, designs, and fashion trends. Their digital nature allows for seamless experimentation with diverse looks, enabling brands to stay on the edge of the ever-evolving fashion landscape. They can host virtual pop-up shops and promote exclusive merchandise. This creates a sense of exclusivity and urgency, encouraging followers to participate in limited-time events and purchase unique items associated with these influencers.

Conclusion

Virtual influencers are more than a trend they represent a shift in how brands tell stories, connect with audiences, and build lasting relationships. By blending AI, creativity, and cultural relevance, they allow companies to engage in innovative, always-on ways that traditional marketing or human influencers can’t fully replicate.

Are you ready to explore what digital creators can do for your brand?

Such an interesting read! Virtual influencers are really changing the game with their 24/7 presence and perfect brand alignment. Curious to see how this will impact authenticity and if audiences will fully embrace them long-term. Excited to watch this space evolve!