In this episode, Dr. Lauren Siegel and Dr. Ryan Young interview Dr Tippayanet Sorosrungruang about virtual influencers and her research on human–AI interaction, AI-enabled persuasion, and ethics. She distinguishes avatars (representations of real people) from virtual influencers (fictional characters built with CGI, generative AI, and deepfakes by human teams) and outlines types including human-like and non-human forms, plus brand-owned versus free-agent characters. Examples include Lil Miquela’s fashion/activism persona and “Nobody Sausage,” which has high engagement despite being non-human. The discussion covers why people relate to virtual influencers (computer-as-social-actor theory, social cues, reduced uncanny valley), who is receptive (younger consumers and those with high cognitive empathy but emotional overwhelm), and risks as tools democratise, including manipulation, sensitive endorsements, and hyperrealistic deception, alongside potential inclusivity representations and emerging companion/therapy-style AI avatars.

01:10 What Are Virtual Influencers

02:25 Avatars vs Fictional Characters

03:53 Lil Miquela And Branding

06:27 Why We Connect With AI

08:47 Nobody Sausage Success

12:05 Who Responds Most

16:14 Ethics And Regulation

18:57 Diversity And Virtual Death

20:05 Representation Versus Jobs

23:51 Future AI Companions

24:52 Publications And Wrap Up