AI Influencers Are Coming for 80% of the Industry— Here’s Who Survives

A new wave of hyper-realistic AI influencers is reshaping the creator economy...fast.

Author

Shira Lazar
June 02, 2025

In a recent report, digital marketing expert Sabri Suby warns that up to 80% of paid influencers, particularly micro and mid-tier creators, may find themselves out of work as brands turn to AI-generated content. 

These bots can produce incredibly lifelike videos and images in minutes, without contracts, delays, or personality clashes.

According to new data from Whop, nearly 1 in 3 Gen Z shoppers are already making purchases based on AI influencer recommendations. And it gets deeper:

  • Nearly half of college-age Gen Z follows at least one AI influencer.

  • 47% of young men follow them, compared to 39% of young women.

  • And only 35% of Gen Z says they care about “authenticity.” What they care about more? Follower count.

Yep—follower count > realness.

Platforms like Google’s Veo 3 and characters like Aitana Lopez or Brazil’s Lu do Magalu are already drawing massive followings online, and according to Suby, 30–40% of short-form content consumers scroll past today is already AI-generated, without them even knowing it.

As creator @cocomocoe highlights in a recent TikTok,  this isn’t just about AI taking over. It’s about what makes creators still matter.

So, who survives the purge?

🔥 Top-tier influencers with mass appeal and deep brand partnerships will likely be safe, for now.
🎯 Niche creators who offer real-time engagement (like Lives or behind-the-scenes content) will hold ground.
🧪 But anyone treating influencing like passive income may need to rethink their model.

🔥 My hot take: Coco said it best—what makes you stand out in a sea of AI is your humanity. The mispronunciations. The imperfections. The zit you forgot to cover. She even predicts brands will start selling zits just to appear more relatable. That’s how deep this shift goes. If you’re not leaning into what makes you human, you’re missing the point.

Shira Lazar

Other headlines to check out:

AI

Creator Economy

Web3 

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