How AI-Generated Influencers Are Earning Millions

Virtual YouTubers like Bloo promised a new era of entertainment, combining human creativity with AI scalability. But their rapid rise is raising concerns about authenticity and audience trust. Tools like Character-3 make creating these virtual stars faster than ever, blurring the line between real and synthetic. CNBC explores what this means for the future of creators and the business behind them.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:50 Chapter 1: The creator who replaced himself
3:24 Chapter 2: Inside the AI content pipeline
6:27 Chapter 3: The debate over AI-generated content

Reporting by: Zach Vallese
Produced by: Lisa Setyon
Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt
Production Support: Magdalena Petrova
Animation by: Emily Park
Additional Footage: Hedra, Bloo, HeyGen

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How AI-Generated Influencers Are Earning Millions

Post from CNBC on July 02, 2025

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