- TikTok launches Symphony Avatars, allowing brands to use AI-generated avatars in ads.
- Some creators worry about the impact on their livelihoods and the creator industry.
- As Big Tech races to introduce generative AI, the future of the creator business remains uncertain.
TikTok is launching Symphony Avatars, a tool that allows brands to use AI-generated avatars of real people in ads on the platform.
The company will offer “stock avatars” and enable advertisers to build custom avatars resembling TikTok creators or brand spokespersons with multi-lingual capabilities.
Will AI replace human talent?
Not all creators are enthusiastic about AI-generated influencers. Some have expressed concerns about the impact of generative AI on their livelihoods and the future of the creator industry.
Unauthorized deepfake influencer ads have also appeared on TikTok, potentially confusing users about which AI-generated videos were released with a creator’s consent.
TikTok states that Symphony Avatars is designed to enhance and amplify human imagination, not replace it.
The company presents the tool as an opportunity for influencers to save time and scale their brand deals. TikTok has also set up an industry advisory board for its AI program.
Avatars, chatbots, and more
TikTok isn’t alone in experimenting with AI-generated avatars. Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Apple are all introducing more generative-AI features in their products.
As the AI race heats up, it remains to be seen how these technologies will reshape the creator business and the advertising landscape.
