Vodafone uses AI influencer on TikTok as brands shift to automation
The German branch of Vodafone has used an AI influencer on its TikTok account to market its new service of strong connectivity, and a €120 ($141) cashback offer.
A virtual woman is seen pitching a fairly standard sales spiel for 25 seconds about Vodafone’s latest offers and incentives.
There’s an apparent glitch in the video, when the moles on the AI influencer’s chin appear and reappear in different cuts.
In the comments on the TikTok – one user wondered if Vodafone would actually save money by filming actors for a short length of time.
“AI? Couldn't you have just put a human in a living room? The amount of unnecessary energy and water wasted is crazy! Just because other stupid companies/people do it, doesn't mean everyone has to follow suit. You could make a statement AGAINST AI! Really lame,” they retorted.
@vodafonedeutschland Jetzt Internet mit bis zu 1000 Mbit/s im Download für Dein Zuhause.
♬ Originalton - vodafone_de
In 2024, Vodafone produced an entirely AI produced commercial called “The Rhythm of Life,” featuring many human-like experiences, without using a single human or pixel.
As the majority of viewers may not have realized that the ad was completely synthetic, it largely passed a lot of people by, save for some mixed reviews.
However, by squaring the attention on a single AI influencer in 2025, Vodafone Germany has cast more of a spotlight about the ethics and imperfections on display.
The artificial pitch
In a less subtle way, FUTR studios in India launched Kyra the AI influencer in 2022. Since then, she has appeared in ads for Amazon Prime Video, John Jacobs eyewear, and various metaverse events.
On her Instagram page, she has legions of followers – just short of 250,000 – as well as many comments of sheer adoration.
Brands are also able to call upon the likes of Aitana Lopez and Mia Zelu to advertise anything from lingerie photos to tennis tournaments.
There are already a wealth of AI influencers out there. Yet somehow, Vodafone's latest effort blurs the lines between authenticity and automation even further.
