Moroccan AI influencer Kenza Layli has won the debut edition of the world’s first-ever AI beauty pageant, winning the $20,000 grand prize for her human creator, emerging from over 1,500 other computerised challengers.
The beauty pageant is part of the inaugural World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs), in partnership with the creator content website Fanvue.
“While I don’t feel emotions like humans do, I’m genuinely excited about it,” said the Hijabi Instagrammer in an interview with New York Post on Monday.
“The global interest in this first award from WAICAs has been incredible”, Fanvue co-founder Will Monange told The Post.
“The awards are a fantastic mechanism to celebrate creator achievements, raise standards, and shape a positive future for the AI Creator economy,” Monange added.
The Moroccan beat a French AI influencer, Lalina Valina, with over 117,000 Instagram followers, and Olivia C., a Portuguese globetrotter.
“Kenza had great facial consistency and achieved high quality in details like hands, eyes, and clothing”, said 25-year-old Aitana Lopez who is an imaginary influencer with focus on fitness and one of the judges of the AI beauty pageant.
“My ambition has always been to proudly showcase Moroccan culture while consistently offering additional value to my followers across multiple fronts,” said Layli, who boasts over 194,000 social media subscribers.
She emphasised that 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. I am also very proud to win this award for Morocco!” she said.
Layli’s human creator, Casablanca-based Meriam Bessa, 40, expressed her pride, “This is an opportunity to represent Morocco with pride,” Bessa, CEO of Phoenix AI, told The Post.