Skinny Mobile's AI-created Brand Ambassador has been "found" and I am worried about the future.
Recently, Skinny announced the winner of their "AI-created Brand Ambassador", Liz Wright. Skinny says in a reel (that i can't link or the post gets deleted) they found they found their "happiest customer" and as a trade of Liz giving her likeness, she receives a lifetime mobile plan.
From this, two main fears rise:
What are we willing to trad?
To me, this whole thing feels like the start to a cliché dystopian scifi movie but I've been constantly asking myself what should I accept? Skinny is implementing this AI-created Brand Ambassador to cut down on advertising costs which was said in one of the adverts featuring Liz. Whether this is a marketing stunt or a brand new direction for skinny, im not sure if im willing to accept the soulless of it all. Liz may be "cloned" but all images and video will continue to be a facade of a person. Am I okay with my phone plan sacrificing it's humanity in order to maintain cheap prices?
What are we willing to allow?
This is the first we've seen of enthusiastic use of ai generated images from a New Zealand company and there are no regulations in effect or in discussion in terms of using AI imaging in Advertising or Marketing. Even if you don't care about this whole thing, what's stopping this from going too far? What will happen to Liz's likeness when she is to pass? (Sorry to be morbid). What other aspects are we willing to dehumanise in our lives?
Obviously this topic is something that I feel strongly about. I am a long time Skinny Mobile user but this announcement has me second guessing my choice of phone plan. I believe strong communities is such a vital part of life and this AI Brand Ambassador feels like a step in the direction away from that. Other phone plans could be an increased cost for me and I don't enjoy feeling like I have to choose between an affordable phone plan or a service marketed with a soulless approximation of a human being.
What are everyone's thoughts on this? I'm inviting any form of civil discussion or opinions on the whole thing.
Recently, Skinny announced the winner of their "AI-created Brand Ambassador", Liz Wright. Skinny says in a reel (that i can't link or the post gets deleted) they found they found their "happiest customer" and as a trade of Liz giving her likeness, she receives a lifetime mobile plan.
From this, two main fears rise:
What are we willing to trad?
To me, this whole thing feels like the start to a cliché dystopian scifi movie but I've been constantly asking myself what should I accept? Skinny is implementing this AI-created Brand Ambassador to cut down on advertising costs which was said in one of the adverts featuring Liz. Whether this is a marketing stunt or a brand new direction for skinny, im not sure if im willing to accept the soulless of it all. Liz may be "cloned" but all images and video will continue to be a facade of a person. Am I okay with my phone plan sacrificing it's humanity in order to maintain cheap prices?
What are we willing to allow?
This is the first we've seen of enthusiastic use of ai generated images from a New Zealand company and there are no regulations in effect or in discussion in terms of using AI imaging in Advertising or Marketing. Even if you don't care about this whole thing, what's stopping this from going too far? What will happen to Liz's likeness when she is to pass? (Sorry to be morbid). What other aspects are we willing to dehumanise in our lives?
Obviously this topic is something that I feel strongly about. I am a long time Skinny Mobile user but this announcement has me second guessing my choice of phone plan. I believe strong communities is such a vital part of life and this AI Brand Ambassador feels like a step in the direction away from that. Other phone plans could be an increased cost for me and I don't enjoy feeling like I have to choose between an affordable phone plan or a service marketed with a soulless approximation of a human being.
What are everyone's thoughts on this? I'm inviting any form of civil discussion or opinions on the whole thing.