A captivating debate at Dubai’s 1 Billion Summit explores our future.
- Experts debate if artificial intelligence will eventually replace human creators.
- Human influencers offer deeper emotional connections through their visible imperfections.
- Virtual avatars provide brand stability and never experience creator burnout.
- The digital future relies on collaboration between biology and technology.
Social media feeds are currently buzzing with a question that feels ripped from a science fiction novel. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape digital culture, the 1 Billion Summit in Dubai recently hosted a high stakes panel to decide if virtual avatars will eventually push humans off the screen. This isn’t just about pixels, it is about the very soul of how we connect online.
While the tech enthusiasts in the room were fascinated by the scalability of digital beings, content creator Farah El Kordy argued that influence starts and ends with lived experience. She believes that authenticity is built through growth and the messy reality of being human. Unlike a perfectly rendered avatar, human creators show up tired, experience burnout, and evolve publicly. These vulnerabilities are not weaknesses but the exact traits that build trust with a modern audience.
Representing the virtual side, Dhairya Patel from the team behind Lil Miquela challenged the idea that AI lacks soul. He described the creation of a virtual influencer as a collaborative filmmaking process where human writers and stylists inject real emotions into a character. For many brands, this offers a stable, safe alternative to human unpredictability. Lil Miquela doesn’t get sick or face personal crises, making her a reliable publisher of human stories.
Despite their different starting points, both speakers agreed that the future is not about one replacing the other. We are entering an era of collaboration where AI serves as a tool rather than a total replacement. As technology becomes more accessible, the bar for creativity will only rise. What will eventually stand out is not the software used, but the human insight and intention behind the content.
The digital landscape is shifting, and those who learn to balance high tech tools with raw humanity will lead the way. To see how these trends are shaping the products you use every day, join the movement for a more conscious future.
Learn more about the latest in digital culture and tech at the 1 Billion Summit website!
