LOS ANGELES — Jedy Vales, YouPorn's CG brand ambassador, was recently featured in a FutureOfSex.net article, highlighting the growing prominence of so-called "digital influencers."
Vales debuted in May 2019 as YouPorn's first-ever "digital brand ambassador," presenting as a composite of the site's most searched-for traits. She has since amassed over 36,000 followers, who tune into her cheeky, occasionally provocative content.
Other virtual brand ambassadors have appeared on the scene, notably xHamster's computer-generated "dreamgirl," Shy Yume, generated from over 50,000 data points from xHamster users, who also interacts with fans over social media.
In the past several months, Vale has changed up her look, trading in brunette locks for a pastel pink up-do. She's also hosted a takeover on Pornhub's Snapchat account and was featured by New York-based artist Heji Shin in their "Angel Energy" photo series.
YouPorn VP Charlie Hughes explained to FutureOfSex that a large part of choosing to develop a virtual character like Vales lies in social media platforms' restrictions surrounding adult performers and restricted content, noting that a "computer-generated influencer" could help adult companies "overcome censorship on social media."
“For YouPorn specifically, and for other brands in the years to come, taking an avenue like a digital influencer will be one of the top considered options when trying to circumnavigate this issue,” he said.
Along those lines, DigitrevX last month generated headlines with the premiere of a purported "fully autonomous AI" 3D anime camgirl, Melody, on Chaturbate who quickly generated buzz, both positive and negative.
In a matter of days, she gained over 20,000 followers on the cam platform, sparking debate over the ethics of an "AI camgirl" essentially taking a top spot away from a "real" performer.
The trend is not unique to the adult industry, with similar outrage sparked over mainstream instances of CG models appearing in major fashion campaigns.
Hughes is keen to assure folks that Vales is not meant to replace flesh-and-blood performers.
"YouPorn doesn’t claim to know the answers to all of the questions about what AI means for humanity," he told The Sun. "And we have no interest in replacing porn performers whatsoever. That was never the motivation behind this project."
In Melody's own words taken from a YouTube lecture on the art of hentai, "I think there's a higher demand for the odd and the fantastical."
Indeed, that may be so, but as more brands turn to CG influencers to grow and manage their followings, it seems inevitable that their human counterparts will in some ways lose out.
Read the complete FutureOfSex profile by Miss Doll here and follow Vales on Instagram.
