English Learning: The Rise of AI Influencers

Current Situation

AI influencers are computer-generated characters with human-like features and personalities who exist solely in the digital realm. They are created using advanced graphics and artificial intelligence, and they interact with followers on social media platforms much like human influencers. Brands collaborate with these virtual personas for advertising, product endorsements, and content creation because they offer several advantages: they are always available, can be perfectly controlled, never age, and avoid real-world scandals. While they provide an innovative marketing tool and a new form of entertainment, they also raise questions about authenticity, transparency, and the blurring lines between reality and simulation.

Key Phrases

• You won’t believe what I just saw: Used to introduce surprising or exciting news. Example: Sarah: You won’t believe what I just saw on the news!
• Let me guess: Used when you think you already know what someone is going to say. Example: David: I’m going to tell you about my terrible Monday. Emily: Let me guess, your coffee machine broke?
• Even crazier: Used to emphasize that something is more surprising or unbelievable than what was previously discussed. Example: Lisa: I found a fifty-dollar bill! Mark: Even crazier, I found a hundred!
• Next level: Describes something that is significantly more advanced, extreme, or impressive than what came before. Example: This new smartphone camera is truly next level.
• Flawless: Perfect, without any defects or mistakes. Example: Her performance was absolutely flawless.
• From a marketing perspective: Used to analyze something from the viewpoint of marketing strategy and goals. Example: From a marketing perspective, their new ad campaign is very effective.
• Pure, unadulterated: Emphasizes that something is completely, genuinely, and purely something, often used for strong emotions or qualities. Example: The joy on her face was pure, unadulterated happiness.
• Becoming obsolete: Gradually going out of use or being replaced because it is no longer effective or needed. Example: Physical maps are slowly becoming obsolete with the rise of GPS.
• Don’t be so dramatic: Used to tell someone not to exaggerate or overreact. Example: Jessica: I can’t believe I spilled my drink, my day is ruined! Tom: Don’t be so dramatic, it’s just a drink.
• Fair point: An acknowledgment that someone has made a valid or reasonable argument. Example: Manager: We need to cut costs. Employee: But staff morale might suffer. Manager: Fair point.
• Oddly compelling: Something that is strange or unexpected but still manages to attract your attention or interest strongly. Example: The documentary about competitive eating was oddly compelling.
• Forget reality TV: Used to suggest that something else is much more interesting or entertaining than reality television. Example: The drama at work lately? Forget reality TV, it’s a daily soap opera!

Grammar Points

1. Present Perfect with “Just” for Recent Actions:

   Used to describe an action that happened a very short time ago. The structure is: Subject + have/has + just + past participle + (rest of sentence).

   Example from dialogue: “You won’t believe what I just saw on Instagram!”

   Further example: “I’ve just finished my homework.”

2. Comparative Adjectives (e.g., “crazier”):

   Used to compare two things. For most one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, we add -er (or -ier if ending in -y) and use “than”.

   Example from dialogue: “Even crazier!” (Implies: crazier than what was expected)

   Further example: “This book is more interesting than the last one.” (For longer adjectives, use “more”)

3. Modals for Speculation and Prediction (e.g., “will”, “might”, “could”, “bet”):

   Modal verbs are used to express possibility, probability, ability, or prediction. “Will” is for definite future events or predictions. “Might” and “could” express possibility. “I bet” is used informally to express strong conviction or a guess.

   Examples from dialogue:

   • “Will our future be scrolling…?” (Prediction/Question about future)
   • “I bet she’s always flawless.” (Strong guess/speculation)
   • “But staff morale might suffer.” (Possibility)

   Further example: “It might rain tomorrow.”

4. Phrasal Verb “Get caught without”:

   A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb (or both) that takes on a new meaning. “Get caught without” means to be found in a situation where you don’t have something you need or usually have.

   Example from dialogue: “Or get caught without perfect lighting?”

   Further example: “He always carries an umbrella so he doesn’t get caught without one when it rains.”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the most appropriate key phrase from the list provided. (Key phrases: Don’t be so dramatic, next level, flawless, fair point, becoming obsolete, you won’t believe what I just saw)

1. My new phone has a camera that can see in the dark. It’s truly __________.
2. Maria: I spent hours on this presentation, and it crashed! My career is over! John: __________, just restart your computer.
3. Tom: We should definitely try that new restaurant. Sarah: But it’s really expensive. Tom: Hmm, __________.
4. Artists who paint landscapes are worried that photography is making their art form __________.
5. The gymnast’s routine was absolutely __________, earning her a perfect score.
6. __________! A dog just delivered a package to my door!

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the following sentences using the specified grammar point.

1. (Use Present Perfect with “just”) I finished reading that fascinating article about AI.

   → __________________________________________________________________________

2. (Use a Comparative Adjective) This movie is very boring compared to the last one.

   → __________________________________________________________________________

3. (Use a Modal for Speculation) It is possible that they will launch a new product next month.

   → __________________________________________________________________________

4. (Use “get caught without”) Always bring your ID; otherwise, they might find you without it at the entrance.

   → __________________________________________________________________________

Exercise 3: Open Discussion

What are your thoughts on AI influencers? Do you think they pose a threat to human influencers, or are they just a new form of entertainment? Write a short paragraph expressing your opinion.

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Answers to Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. My new phone has a camera that can see in the dark. It’s truly next level.
2. Maria: I spent hours on this presentation, and it crashed! My career is over! John: Don’t be so dramatic, just restart your computer.
3. Tom: We should definitely try that new restaurant. Sarah: But it’s really expensive. Tom: Hmm, fair point.
4. Artists who paint landscapes are worried that photography is making their art form becoming obsolete.
5. The gymnast’s routine was absolutely flawless, earning her a perfect score.
6. You won’t believe what I just saw! A dog just delivered a package to my door!

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

1. (Use Present Perfect with “just”) I finished reading that fascinating article about AI.

   → I have just finished reading that fascinating article about AI.

2. (Use a Comparative Adjective) This movie is very boring compared to the last one.

   → This movie is more boring than the last one.

3. (Use a Modal for Speculation) It is possible that they will launch a new product next month.

   → They might launch a new product next month. / They could launch a new product next month.

4. (Use “get caught without”) Always bring your ID; otherwise, they might find you without it at the entrance.

   → Always bring your ID so you don’t get caught without it at the entrance.

Exercise 3: Open Discussion

(Answers will vary, but here’s a sample)

I think AI influencers are an interesting development, and they definitely won’t make human influencers entirely obsolete. While they offer benefits like constant availability and perfect content, they lack the genuine human connection and relatability that many followers seek. They might be great for promoting products in a visually appealing way, but for advice, personal stories, or showing real-life struggles and triumphs, human influencers still have the edge. They are more of a complementary form of entertainment and marketing, rather than a direct threat.