The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs) will see computer-created models judged on their beauty, technicalities and social media clout
ChatGPT and robots taking over the world may be the first things that spring to mind when thinking of artificial intelligence (AI), but a social media platform has now launched the world’s first AI beauty pageant where entirely fake models will compete for a chance to win a total prize fund worth £16,000 ($20,000).
The futuristic Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs) will see computer-generated figures judged on their beauty, technicalities and social media clout in an online event taking place next month. Albeit slightly dystopian, creators say the ceremony may be the tech world’s ‘Oscars’, at a time when 10,000 AI models are taking social media by storm.
“The creator economy is an extremely exciting place to be in right now, and with the help of our platform, there’s been exponential growth in AI creators entering the space, growing their fanbases, and monetising content,” said Will Monange, co-founder of the competition partner, Fanvue. “Miss AI is just one award as part of a programme, and we share the vision for the WAICAs to become the Oscars of the AI creator economy.”
Fanvue is currently the leading social media platform for AI-generated content creators, with this economy expected to exceed the $1billion mark in 2024. Judging its competition are two internet famous computerised models, Emily Pellegrini and Atiana Lopez, who both went viral last year, as many were stunned by their eerily lifelike appearances.
Lord Alan Sugar’s PR advisor, Andrew Bloch, and Britain’s only pageant historian, Sally Ann Fawcett will sit alongside them too. Sally Ann has also been the Head Judge of Miss Great Britain for the past 10 years, with Miss AI now an unexpected turn in her career.
“As one of the world’s only traditional pageantry historians it’s really exciting to be involved in an awards which feels so futuristic,” she said. “It’s been a fast learning curve expanding my knowledge on AI creators, and it’s quite incredible what is possible. Interestingly, there are so many parallels between real life pageantry contestants and AI creators, and how they engage with their audiences. I can’t wait to assess the entrants alongside the other judges.”
The WAICAs event also comes 185 years since the first real-life pageant took place in 1839. While this is certainly a landmark in history, some fear that an influx of AI-generated models could perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards -especially for girls.
This includes women’s health speaker, Danae Mercer Ricci, who recently wrote on Instagram (@danaemercer): “Lately, AI GIRLS have appeared across social media. They’re young. They’re very pretty. And they’re doing ‘real things’ – like going to the gym, or traveling to beautiful islands…
“My generation had to navigate models in magazines. Our kids are going to have to compete with computer-created ‘perfection’ across their social platforms. I don’t know how to solve this. But I do know we need to be informed.”
Amidst these fears, Sally Ann commented: “Most of the beauty queens I have spoken to about AI pageants are taking it in their stride… They think it’s a bit bizarre but they don’t feel threatened. After all, you can be a gorgeous cyber girl but, at the end of the day, you can’t beat being a real, live living doll.”
WAICAs is expecting to receive entries from today, with its top 10 finalists to be announced on May 10 before a final ceremony later next month. Entries must be completely AI-generated, with the competition completely disallowing deepfakes – videos of real people with faces digitally altered.
The Miss AI winner will receive £4,000 ($5,000) cash in addition to a mentorship worth £2,000 ($3,000). The runner-up will receive a promotional package worth £1,600 ($2,000) and access to an exclusive creator course, while the third place winner will win a consultancy call with Fanvue and a £400 ($500) promotional package.
If you fancy entering yourself, head to WAICAs website – all entries are free.
Got a story to share? Get in touch, at [email protected]
