Wimbledon influencer with over 165k followers is actually 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. AI-generated influencer Mia Zelu. Over 150,000 people follow influencer Mia Zelu on Instagram, with the most recent post from her 'trip' to Wimbledon drawing 43,000 'likes'. Pic: MoL
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.' AI-generated influencer Mia Zelu. Over 150,000 people follow influencer Mia Zelu on Instagram, with the most recent post from her 'trip' to Wimbledon drawing 43,000 'likes'. Pic: MoL
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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