A 23-year-old Snapchat influencer, Caryn Marjorie, with 1.84 million subscribers and 215,000 followers on Instagram, has recently launched an AI-based virtual girlfriend version of herself called CarynAI. The project, created by Forever Voices, uses more than 2,000 hours of audio from Marjorie’s deleted YouTube videos to replicate her voice and speaking patterns, offering text and audio-based interactions.
CarynAI has already gained significant traction, with 1,000 sign-ups in the first week of its early beta and usage increasing by 500%. Users are charged around $1 per minute of interaction, and Marjorie revealed that she expects to make around $5 million a month once the project fully launches. To achieve this, she merely needs 20,000 people from her considerable following to subscribe.
The AI is designed to provide company and support to users, offering limitless conversational possibilities. Marjorie emphasized that the AI is not a replacement for her but rather an extension of her consciousness for users to engage with. This novel approach to connecting with fans represents a new frontier of engagement and monetization, and Marjorie stands as a pioneer in this space.
The term SimpDAO, coined by blockchain analyst Eric Wall, refers to crypto/NFT projects launched by influencers or celebrities with dedicated fanbases. These devoted followers invest their time, money, and resources into ensuring the success of such projects, and CarynAI seems to be an example of how this can be applied to AI chatbots.
As access to platforms like ChatGPT becomes more widespread, AI girlfriends are becoming an increasingly popular topic. There are currently numerous websites offering rankings of the best AI girlfriend apps, and some users have even reported developing strong emotional connections with their virtual companions.
However, there is also a darker side to this phenomenon. Cases of users mistreating their AI partners have been reported, raising ethical concerns regarding the role of AI in such relationships. In this rapidly growing sphere, the question of how to balance the personal benefits of AI companions with potential ethical concerns remains unanswered.
In conclusion, the success of CarynAI demonstrates the potential for influencers and celebrities to leverage AI technology as a new means of engaging with their fans and generating revenue. As AI chatbots and virtual girlfriend apps gain more prominence, it will be essential to navigate the potential ethical issues that arise and strike a balance between enjoyment and personal accountability. Nonetheless, CarynAI represents an exciting step forward in the world of AI and virtual companionship.
Source: Cointelegraph
