Kenyan content creator and influencer Azziad Nasenya has criticised brands that use artificial intelligence (AI)-generated people to advertise their products while relying on real consumers to make purchases.
In a statement shared via her Instagram Stories on Friday, October 9, 2026, Azziad said businesses embracing AI-generated models should also reconsider their expectations of customers who spend real money on the products being advertised.
“Unpopular opinion: I have no problem with embracing AI, but if you’re using AI ‘people’ to advertise your products, get AI people to buy them too. You want real people’s money? Use real people in your campaigns. Otherwise, take your business to the AI universe,” she stated.
Her remarks highlight a growing debate about the role of artificial intelligence in advertising, particularly as businesses experiment with computer-generated models and virtual influencers to promote products on social media.
AI-generated people can be designed to look like real models, complete with carefully styled outfits, polished skin, different hairstyles and convincing facial features. Brands can use these digital personalities to showcase clothing, beauty products, accessories and other consumer goods without necessarily hiring a human model for the campaign.
However, the growing use of the technology has raised questions about authenticity, representation and the place of human creators in an industry that depends heavily on personal connections with consumers.
Azziad has built her public profile through digital content creation, entertainment and brand collaborations, making her a familiar figure in Kenya’s influencer marketing space.
Influencers often work with businesses to introduce products to their audiences through sponsored posts, videos, product demonstrations and personal recommendations. Their appeal lies partly in their ability to connect brands with consumers through relatable content and an established online following.
Unlike computer-generated personalities, human influencers can draw on their own experiences when showcasing products, whether they are demonstrating how an outfit fits, explaining how a beauty product works or sharing their experiences with a particular service.
