Transcript:
Hey y’all!
It’s Alyssa with EffortLyssLife and today we’re talking about something that’s getting harder and harder to spot on social media: AI influencers.
And no, I’m not talking about using AI to edit a photo or help write a caption. I’m talking about completely AI generated people who look real, build audiences, and potentially influence what people buy and believe.
According to Lauren Forristal’s article in TechCrunch, published August 31st 2026, Instagram announced a change to its AI labeling policy. The platform renamed its “AI creator” label to “AI-generated profile” and said accounts featuring AI-generated people could have their reach limited if they don’t properly disclose that fact.
Instagram Also clarified that creators who simply use AI tools to edit photos, create graphics, or polish captions don’t need this particular label. So there’s a difference between using AI as a tool and pretending an entirely artificial person is real.
And honestly, I think that distinction matters.
As someone who creates content and is building a personal brand, I know how much work goes into creating a real identity online. There’s a person behind the camera, actual experiences, and a real connection to the audience.
AI can be an awesome tool. I’m not against technology, and I’m definitely not against finding smarter ways to create content. But when people can’t tell whether the person they’re following even exists, we have a trust problem.
I mean, think about it. If someone builds an audience by pretending to be a real person and then uses that influence to promote products, what exactly is the audience trusting?
My opinion is simple: use the tools, get creative, and push boundaries, but don’t mislead people about who or what they’re following.
At the end of the day, followers are great, views are great, and engagement is great. But if people can’t trust you, what are you actually building?
I want to hear your take on this: if you found out that an influencer you followed, trusted, and bought products from was actually completely AI generated, would you feel deceived, or do you think it doesn’t matter as long as the content is good? Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks for listening, y’all! Remember to stay curious, question what you see, and do your own research before you believe everything on your feed.
Source: Lauren Forristal, “Instagram puts new limits on undisclosed AI profiles,” TechCrunch, August 31, 2026. Read the article.