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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Katie Rosseinsky

Meet the AI influencers taking over Coachella – worth millions and replacing the real thing

AI influencers like Aitana Lopez are descending on Coachella festival – well, sort of... - (Instagream/@fit_aitana)

Posing in front of Coachella Festival’s iconic Ferris wheel, Aitana Lopez looks like the epitome of California cool. Her long hair is expertly tousled and dyed a soft shade of pink. The Indio sunlight catches on her boho-style belt, and the fringing on her suede outfit seems to dance in the wind. She’s even managed to grab a branded cupholder from Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner’s rhode skin x 818 tequila collaboration, an influencer must-have at the first weekend of the festival.

Not that Aitana would have much use for either a lip balm or a glass of tequila, though. Because Aitana, who boasts 392,000 followers, doesn’t really exist. She is an AI-generated influencer – or, as her Instagram bio puts it, a “digital soul” – created by the Barcelona-based tech agency The Clueless, and reportedly earns up to $10,000 each month, thanks to “modelling” work and brand deals.

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