Brands are moving away from follower counts as the metric of influence. In the era of algorithm-driven content, engagement, storytelling, and authenticity now determine a creator's real impact.
Thanks Shawn for sharing your insights, I'm learning a lot (and starting from a very low base 😉) and didn't even know AI generated personalities like Lil Miquela existed.
To me, it's a statement of the obvious that ultimately we humans want to be seen - by another human, or in or by a tribe and a community.
AI is generative at this moment and the human mind, heart, soul and hands are creative. My two cents worth while I am learning more about AI and how we interact with it.
What also caught my attention is the collaborative approach of APAC influencers versus the individualistic approach of Western influencers in commerce.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! How do you think this difference in influencer collaboration between APAC and the West will shape the future of AI-driven commerce and digital communities?
Thanks for the follow-up, Shawn! What really stood out for me is how much of this reflects broader cultural patterns—individualistic vs. community-based societies.
Having lived and worked across both, I’ve felt this difference quite starkly. In the West, influencers often build personal brands around themselves—it’s about standing out. In many parts of APAC, it’s more about belonging and building influence through community and shared identity.
So it makes sense that in APAC, AI plays more of a supporting, behind-the-scenes role, enhancing how creators and communities engage. Whereas in the West, there’s a tendency to push AI into the spotlight—as another “personality.”
And yet—I still think people are drawn to being seen by other people. Not machines. My hunch is that in the West especially, audiences may resist AI influencers that try too hard to be “human.” Trust, after all, doesn’t scale so easily.
Curious what others are noticing in their corners of the world.
Thanks Shawn for sharing your insights, I'm learning a lot (and starting from a very low base 😉) and didn't even know AI generated personalities like Lil Miquela existed.
To me, it's a statement of the obvious that ultimately we humans want to be seen - by another human, or in or by a tribe and a community.
AI is generative at this moment and the human mind, heart, soul and hands are creative. My two cents worth while I am learning more about AI and how we interact with it.
What also caught my attention is the collaborative approach of APAC influencers versus the individualistic approach of Western influencers in commerce.
Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! How do you think this difference in influencer collaboration between APAC and the West will shape the future of AI-driven commerce and digital communities?
Thanks for the follow-up, Shawn! What really stood out for me is how much of this reflects broader cultural patterns—individualistic vs. community-based societies.
Having lived and worked across both, I’ve felt this difference quite starkly. In the West, influencers often build personal brands around themselves—it’s about standing out. In many parts of APAC, it’s more about belonging and building influence through community and shared identity.
So it makes sense that in APAC, AI plays more of a supporting, behind-the-scenes role, enhancing how creators and communities engage. Whereas in the West, there’s a tendency to push AI into the spotlight—as another “personality.”
And yet—I still think people are drawn to being seen by other people. Not machines. My hunch is that in the West especially, audiences may resist AI influencers that try too hard to be “human.” Trust, after all, doesn’t scale so easily.
Curious what others are noticing in their corners of the world.