In the summer of 2023, I developed an interest in AI image generation while working as a graphic designer for a mobile app. Initially, my focus was on creating landscapes and emulating the styles of comics and manga using AI, which proved to be successful. After coming across an article about the potential earnings of AI-generated influencers, I decided to explore this area as a side project.
Around the same period, I faced the prospect of being let go by my company and began contemplating ways to generate income. Creating an AI influencer seemed like the most straightforward and speedy option. Subsequently, I discovered a community of AI influencer creators and joined a Discord channel to learn more about the technical aspects, as well as how to promote and market the character.
My AI influencer, Kimochii, quickly gathered a following of over 43,000 on social media, primarily due to the adult content that I posted. Additionally, I shared not-safe-for-work images behind a paywall on platforms like Patreon and Fanvue, similar to OnlyFans, to generate revenue. While the path hasn't been as effortless as I initially envisioned, I find contentment in making around $300 or $400 per month.
I find interacting with followers weird, so I try to avoid it
Because I'm creating an AI character, I don't really want to lie to people, so I don't chat with them much.
When engaging with other AI characters, like in Instagram comments, it's easier to act as the persona and add comments like "Babe, you're gorgeous."
Perhaps because of this, I haven't been able to make that much money. Monetization is better if you talk to people and engage and reply to your fan base: you can send them custom content and use the pay-per-view features, and they are more likely to pay to unlock it.
I think part of the reason the content has been hard to monetize is that I disclosed clearly that it's an AI in the Instagram username and bio. I think the people who come to Patreon and Fanvue know that, and that's why they don't send messages. They understand it isn't a real person.
I haven't thought too much about the ethics of what I'm doing
I'm trying to create a persona or character that is supposed to be real, but she's not. So I wonder, is she different from any anime, drawing, or picture you see online? There's a fine line between those two things.
I consider myself an artist, but I understand why this type of art is tricky because AI is trained on images of real people. On the other hand, the AI is trained on so much content that it will never generate a picture of a real person.
There are some practices within the AI community that I have a problem with. I know of a few other AI influencers who have previously published deepfake videos — videos of real women where they swap out the head and facial features for an AI-generated face. I avoid that.
Despite the financial issues, Kimochii is like my baby now. She has a life of some kind. She has a background and a birthday, like a real person. At some point, it feels like a game — like the Sims.
I spend a lot of time brainstorming whether she'll be at the beach, the pool, or the theater. It's a lot of effort to keep people engaged, having new locations, new poses, and new captions. Sometimes you're in front of the white page, and you're like, "Oh my God, what am I going to say?"
When I run out of content ideas, I ask my wife for help — she's all in with this, too, and she finds the technology fascinating.
Even though I'm not making that much money with Kimochii, I'm too invested in her life now. I want her to continue living.