AI Takes the Crown: Kenza Layli Wins First-Ever Miss AI Pageant

Move over traditional beauty pageants, there's a new kind of contender in town – artificial intelligence. Kenza Layli, a virtual influencer from Morocco, has been crowned the world's first Miss AI, beating out over 1,500 other AI-generated models in a groundbreaking competition.

(Photo credit: Instagram/kenza.layli) AI Takes the Crown: Kenza Layli Wins First-Ever Miss AI Pageant

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This wasn't your typical pageant with swimsuit and evening gown segments. The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs) aimed to celebrate the technical prowess behind crafting these AI personas. The competition judged contestants across three categories: realism of the AI technology, social media clout, and overall impact.

Layli, created by the Moroccan company Phoenix AI marketing agency, stood out amongst the competition. This hijab-wearing virtual influencer is more than just a pretty face; she's a social media force with over 200,000 followers across seven languages. Her content focuses on women's empowerment, environmental causes, and showcasing Moroccan culture.

While Layli may not be a real person, her win signifies a significant step forward in AI development. She represents a new wave of virtual influencers that can engage with audiences on a global scale. 

The Miss AI pageant wasn't just about crowning a winner; it was about recognizing the creative minds that are shaping the future of AI. The $20,000 grand prize went to Leyli's creators, highlighting the technical skill required to build such advanced AI models.

Layli, was followed by Lalina from France, the first runner up, and Olivia C from Portugal, the second runner up.

In her acceptance speech, Layli warmly thanked everyone for her win:

"I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to represent AI creators and to advocate passionately for the positive impact of Artificial Intelligence. Winning Miss AI motivates me even more to continue my work in advancing AI technology. AI is a tool designed to complement human capabilities, not replace them. By showcasing AI’s potential for innovation and positive impact, I aim to dispel fears and promote acceptance and collaboration between humans and AI. Through education and positive examples, we can foster a more informed and optimistic view of AI’s role in our society."

What criteria did the judges use to evaluate the AI contestants

The Miss AI pageant judged contestants based on a unique blend of three categories:

1. Beauty (Tech Proficiency): This category didn't focus on physical attractiveness in the traditional sense. Instead, judges evaluated the realism and eloquence of the AI technology used to create the contestant. This likely included aspects like the fluidity of movement, natural language processing skills, and the overall believability of the AI persona.  

2. Tech (Social Influence): Here, the focus shifted to how effectively the AI contestant operated as a social media influencer. Judges likely looked at factors like audience engagement metrics, follower growth rates across different platforms, and the overall reach and impact of the contestant's online presence.

3. Clout (Overall Impact): This category encompassed the broader influence of the AI contestant. It likely considered the creativity and effectiveness of the content the AI generated, its ability to connect with audiences on a meaningful level, and the positive impact it had on social causes or cultural awareness. 

Who were the judges

(Photo credit: WAICA) World's First Miss AI Judges

The Miss AI pageant took a unique approach to its judging panel, blending human expertise with the new world of AI influencers. The panel consisted of four judges:

1) Two AI Influencers: The pageant incorporated the voices of established AI personas. Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini, both virtual models with significant social media followings (over 300,000 and 250,000 followers respectively), brought their experience as AI influencers to the table. 

2) Two Human Experts: The panel also balanced the new with the traditional. Industry experts provided grounding in the world of pageantry and technology. Andrew Bloch, an entrepreneur and PR advisor, likely offered insights from the business and marketing side. Sally-Ann Fawcett, a beauty pageant historian and author, contributed her expertise in pageant tradition and judging criteria. 

This is just the beginning for AI in the influencer world. Kenza Layli's win paves the way for more diverse and innovative virtual personas to emerge, blurring the lines between reality and the digital sphere. Whether this is a positive development or not remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure – the future of beauty pageants might involve a lot less sash and a lot more silicon.