TLDR: Kenza Layli, a Moroccan AI influencer, has been crowned the world’s first “Miss AI” by the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs). The competition, which judged AI-generated models on beauty, technical skill, and social media influence, has sparked both excitement and criticism regarding the future of beauty standards and AI in creative industries.
In a landmark event that has both captivated and concerned observers, Kenza Layli, a Moroccan AI-generated influencer, has been crowned the inaugural “Miss AI.” The groundbreaking beauty pageant, organized by the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs), saw Layli emerge victorious over more than 1,500 virtual models from across the globe. The announcement of the winner took place in July 2024, following the pageant’s launch in April of the same year.
The “Miss AI” competition aimed to celebrate the technical prowess and creativity behind digital influencer personas. Contestants were rigorously evaluated across three key categories: beauty, technical skill, and social media clout. Judges assessed the aesthetic appeal and poise of the AI models, the sophistication of the AI tools used in their creation (including creativity and attention to detail in digital artwork), and their online influence, measured by fan engagement and audience growth on platforms like Instagram.
The judging panel itself was a blend of human and artificial intelligence, comprising two human experts—Andrew Bloch, a PR adviser, and Sally-Ann Fawcett, a pageantry historian—along with two prominent AI influencers, Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini. This unique judging structure underscored the innovative nature of the contest.
Kenza Layli, the crowned “Miss AI,” is a hijab-wearing Moroccan lifestyle influencer with a substantial online presence, boasting nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram. Her digital persona is known for engaging content closely tied to Moroccan society, promoting women’s empowerment and environmental issues, and connecting with her audience 24/7 in seven different languages. Layli was created by Ms. Myriam Bessa, founder of the Phoenix AI agency. As part of her prize, Layli (or rather, her creator) received $5,000 in cash, along with promotional support from Fanvue and public relations services, contributing to a total prize package valued at $20,000. The first runner-up was Lalina Valina from France, and the second runner-up was Olivia C from Portugal.
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Despite the organizers’ enthusiasm for recognizing advancements in AI creation, the “Miss AI” pageant has not been without its critics. Concerns have been raised about the potential for such competitions to exacerbate unrealistic beauty standards, pushing a new form of “computer-generated perfection.” Critics also highlighted the potential for sexualization and the broader ethical implications of ranking AI-generated women in a beauty contest format. The competition strictly mandated that all entrants be 100% AI-generated, explicitly disallowing deepfakes, which involve digitally altering the faces of real people.
