Last winter, several news articles discussed AI potentially replacing humans in an unexpected field: online influencers. These articles highlighted a new wave of Instagram influencers who had garnered large followings and even secured brand deals, with one notable detail: these influencers were AI-generated.
Some AI influencers, like Lil Miquela, offer a sort of artistic commentary on the nature of influence. However, upon closer inspection of one AI-generated influencer account on Instagram—one that had reportedly secured brand deals—a different narrative emerged.
One of the most popular AI influencers had a link in her bio to a profile on Fanvue, a competitor to OnlyFans. On her Fanvue account, the influencer posted provocative photos, and for a $7-a-month subscription, users could access her nude photos. (It feels strange to refer to "she" and "nude" since this person doesn't exist; she's AI. But this is the reality in 2024.)
It became clear that the business model was centered around pornography—Instagram and other social media platforms were merely at the top of the conversion funnel. These accounts weren't aiming to become "Instagram influencers" promoting products like shampoo; they were using Instagram to drive traffic to Fanvue, where users could pay to see nude photos.
Once potential customers reach the paysites, they encounter more AI-generated pictures and videos.
The tech news site 404 Media recently published an in-depth report titled "Inside the Booming 'AI Pimping' Industry." The investigation revealed a staggering number of AI-fueled accounts on both OnlyFans and Fanvue. Disturbingly, 404 Media found that some of these accounts used images that weren't purely AI-generated. Some were deepfakes—fake images of real people—or face swaps, using someone's face on an AI-generated body.
There is also a burgeoning side economy of people selling guides and courses on how to set up businesses to create AI models. One individual is selling a course for $220 on how to make money with AI adult influencers.
A Fanvue spokesperson told Business Insider that using images that steal someone's identity is against its rules. Fanvue also employs a third-party moderation tool and human moderators. The spokesperson acknowledged that "deepfakes are an industry challenge." OnlyFans' terms of service prohibit models from using AI chatbots and stipulate that AI content is allowed only if users can tell it's AI and if that content features the verified creator—not someone else.
Beyond the issue of potentially stolen images, the existence of AI adult content is somewhat contentious. Some AI creators argue that this is not unlike cartoon pornography. However, real-life adult content creators have expressed concerns about AI affecting their business. Some told Business Insider Marta Biino that they find AI tools useful, such as AI chatbots for interacting with fans. But they also worry that using AI could erode fans' trust.
It's unclear whether fans of the AI accounts are always aware that these "people" are artificial intelligence. Comments on one obviously AI-generated woman's account suggest that many people believe she's human. On her Fanvue, the AI-generated woman sometimes posts pink-haired anime cartoon versions of herself.
In response to one of these posts, a paying Fanvue customer expressed a desire to see the outfit on the "real" woman—not the anime version. It's uncertain whether he realizes that neither version is real.