After winning, Kenza Leyli said, “AI is a tool designed to complement human capabilities, not replace them.” (Source: WAICA)
Kenza Leyli, an AI Moroccan influencer, has been crowned world’s first “Miss AI”, and she achieved this feat beating over 1,500 AI-generated models from around the world.
What is the Miss AI beauty pageant?
The world’s first artificial intelligence beauty pageant was launched by The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs), with a host of AI-generated images and influencers competing for a share of $20,000 (Rs 16,70,666, approximately).
The aim of this award was to celebrate the technical skill and work behind creating and managing digital influencer personas from across the world.
The contestants of the Fanvue Miss AI pageant were whittled down to a top 10, which also included India’s Zara Shrivastava. The final three winners were announced at an online awards ceremony.
Leyli, a hijab-wearing “activist and influencer”, was the winner, followed by Lalina from France, the first runner up, and Olivia C from Portugal, the second runner up.
Miss AI Leyli has more than 193,000 followers on Instagram. Her bio states that “her engaging content is closely tied to Moroccan society” and that her goal “is to contribute to the empowerment of women in Morocco and the Middle East, while also bringing much-needed regulation to the influencer market.”
Who were the judges?
A panel of judges, consisting of industry experts and AI influencers, assessed the models based on beauty, tech, and social clout. A points-based system was used to score each creator across the three categories, and each entrant was given an overall score.
Just like in traditional beauty pageants, the AI participants were asked a series of questions, including “What would be your one dream to make the world a better place?”
The world’s first artificial intelligence beauty pageant, launched by The Fanvue WAICAs was judged by Andrew Blooh, Aitana Lopez, Sally-Ann Fawcett and Emily Pollegrini. (Source: WAICA)
In her acceptance speech, Leyli expressed her gratitude 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.”
Leyli also said, “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.”
The Miss AI pageant, while celebrating technological advancements, raises important questions about the potential perpetuation of unrealistic beauty standards.
The competition features AI-generated models with flawlessly curated physical attributes and online personas, setting a dangerous precedent for real women and society. As we embrace the innovation of AI, we must also acknowledge the risks it poses in perpetuating harmful beauty ideals and reinforcing damaging social norms.
The promotion of computer-generated ‘perfection’ can lead to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and mental health issues among individuals, particularly women.
The use of generative AI in social media warrants closer scrutiny and regulation. While it may seem harmless compared to more sinister applications like deepfakes, the impact on self-esteem, mental health, and societal expectations cannot be ignored.
