While North America and Europe are on a path towards authenticity (due to an authenticity crisis), with such trends as #definluencing and #dupes loudly and quickly gaining traction, social media users in Asia Pacific (APAC) have a growing focus on artificial “virtual” influencers (VI’s). These virtual influencers are now appearing among Western digital ecosystems and providing additional nuance to contemporary authenticity concerns. Recognising the ways virtual influencers interact with brands and companies will be crucial to understanding the significant implications this has on how their followers engage with those brands.

Companies and brands mentioned in this report: Apoki, Apple, Capitol Records, Casas Bahias, ChatGPT, FN Meka, Forever            Imma, Instagram, KFC, L’Oréal, Mikayla Nogueira, Noonoouri, Oh Rozy, OpenAI, Roblox , Shinhan Life, Snapchat, Spotify, Teflon Sega, The Diigitals, TikTok, VV Entertainment, YouTube, and Wave