'Influencer' who garnered more than 165,000 followers while 'enjoying Wimbledon' is revealed as an AI creation
But the 'model' whose social media persona became an internet sensation at the championships was actually created by AI.
The posts on Mia Zelu's Instagram page were so carefully curated that they hoodwinked more than 40,000 people into liking her pictures and leaving comments in the belief that she was real and at the tournament.
With images of her on Centre Court or enjoying a Pimm's, even Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant was taken in.
The 27-year-old was at Wimbledon but discovered the account he had liked was a fake one and quickly deleted all of his interactions with it.
The online comments by Zelu, who embodied the quintessential Wimbledon look of summery dresses and golden tan, reflect the language used by actual Instagram influencers. In one she asks her followers: 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?'
Despite not actually being at the tournament, Zelu also remarked: 'Still not over the event... but the party's a whole other game.'
Her creators, who remain anonymous, explain in a profile that she is an 'AI storyteller', adding she has a sister called 'Ana' with 266,000 followers on her account.
Despite the clear indication that the account is not that of a real person, Zelu's followers still send her messages – including proposals of marriage.
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