Artificial Influence
Creators, corporations, and governments are using virtual experiences and installations to shift public perception, sell products, and even turn fantasies into reality.
About This Trend:
As more computers act and perform like humans thanks to artificial intelligence (the other AI!), they are increasingly attempting to blur the public’s perception of what’s real and what isn’t in an attempt to influence behavior and consumption.
The concept of “fake influencers” is a great example of this. Surkus is an app that helps restaurants, bars, or any real-life venue create buzz by selecting and paying people to show up or stand in line, giving the illusion that the spot or event is popular and well-attended. The app goes as far as “casting” people with desirable qualities to pose as attendees. While this trend is providing brands and campaigns with an effective tactic for influencing and shaping audiences’ behavior, it also leads to erosion of consumer trust in what people see online or even in person, and makes them skeptical of any kind of influence.