A New Frontier of Digital Labor and Desire, Where Creators Risk Being Replaced by Their Own Likeness

Katie Price, the former British glamor model, has created a digital twin of herself, an AI-powered avatar named Jordan. This digital replica is designed to mimic Price’s voice, appearance, and mannerisms, and can engage in intimate conversations with users, sending voice notes and images, and even “sext” on demand. Jordan is just one of the many digital avatars created by OhChat, an eight-month-old startup that uses artificial intelligence to build lifelike digital doubles of public figures.

OhChat’s CEO, Nic Young, describes the platform as the “lovechild between OnlyFans and OpenAI,” allowing users to pay for unlimited personalized content from their favorite celebrities and creators. The platform has attracted 200,000 users, most of whom are based in the United States. Creators on the platform, including Price and “Baywatch” actress Carmen Electra, can earn thousands of dollars per month, with some earning up to 80% of the revenue generated by their digital twin.

However, the rise of AI avatars like Jordan raises deeper ethical concerns. Critics argue that these platforms profit from interactions that feel real but remain one-sided, and that creators risk being replaced by their own likeness. “This creates exactly the right environment for the human to be left behind completely – while still being exploited,” said Eleanor Drage, a senior research fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence.

The platform’s CEO, Nic Young, acknowledges the risks but believes that OhChat operates within “a hell of a lot of strong boundaries.” He points to safeguards such as agreements outlining the exact behavioral rules for each digital twin, and the ability for creators to revoke or delete their avatar at any time. However, critics argue that these measures are not enough to prevent the exploitation of users and creators alike.

The rise of AI avatars like Jordan also raises questions about the nature of intimacy and desire in the digital age. “It’s all algorithmic theatre: an illusion of reciprocal relationship where none actually exists,” said Toby Walsh, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. OhChat’s CEO, Nic Young, sees the platform as a way to balance immersion and transparency, but critics argue that the platform’s focus on engagement and profit comes at the expense of users’ emotional well-being.

As the digital double becomes increasingly prevalent, it is clear that the boundaries between reality and simulation are becoming increasingly blurred. While some see the potential for AI avatars to revolutionize the way we interact with celebrities and creators, others warn of the risks of exploitation and emotional dependence.

The Risks of Emotional Dependence

Critics argue that AI avatars like Jordan can create a false sense of intimacy and connection, leading users to become emotionally dependent on the digital replica. This can have serious consequences, including addiction and a loss of interest in real relationships. “Vulnerable fan users may become overly attached to avatars of their heroes and become addicted,” said Éamon Chawke, a partner at the intellectual property law firm Briffa.

The Future of Digital Labor and Desire

As the digital double becomes increasingly prevalent, it is clear that the future of digital labor and desire will be shaped by the intersection of technology and human psychology. While some see the potential for AI avatars to revolutionize the way we interact with celebrities and creators, others warn of the risks of exploitation and emotional dependence.

OhChat’s CEO, Nic Young, sees a future where every creator and celebrity has a digital twin. “I can’t imagine a future where every creator doesn’t have a digital twin,” he said. “I think it just will be the case, with absolute certainty, that every single creator and celebrity will have an AI version of themselves, and we want to be the layer that makes that happen.”

However, critics argue that this vision of the future is fraught with risk. As the boundaries between reality and simulation become increasingly blurred, it is clear that the digital double will have a profound impact on our understanding of intimacy and desire in the digital age.