NEW YORK, April 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OpenArt, the main AI video technology platform, has partnered with creator subscription platform, Fanvue, to launch the AI Persona of the Yr Awards. The worldwide programme is the primary of its type to recognise the achievements of AI Influencers throughout content material excellence, cultural affect, and business success, with ElevenLabs becoming a member of in as a founding accomplice.
The launch comes because the AI influencer sector is increasing quick, with consultants estimating its worth will exceed $30 billion in 2026, a part of a wider creator economic system that’s predicted to hit $1 trillion by 2030.
Over the previous 18 months, AI-generated personalities have embedded themselves into widespread tradition, constructing loyal fanbases, and touchdown main model offers. The most important AI Influencers on this planet are serving as official ambassadors, together with Aitana Lopez, Spain’s first million-dollar AI influencer.
Early entrants for the awards embrace Mexican LGBTQ+ Reggaeton artist RoRo Castillos, together with his Eire-based creator Arturo Bustillos demonstrating the rising push from creators to champion LGBTQ+ illustration; relationship coach Juliana Zetici, who encourages real-life connection within the AI age and has even written a ebook, titled Easy methods to Appeal to a Girl Like Juliana, which unpacks tips on how to date with calm, readability and confidence; and the UK’s first AI influencer Alex Laine, who goals to encourage younger ladies to take up soccer and enchantment to feminine Arsenal followers.
A stellar line-up of judges has been assembled, bringing their experience throughout AI, advertising and social media. The judging panel consists of Communications and advertising guru Andrew Bloch; 13-time Emmy-winning comedy author Gil Rief; CEO of MCR company Sergi Cerrato; and Kevin Van Witt (Creator of The Monster Library). Entries can be assessed on 4 standards: high quality, social clout, model enchantment and inspiration.
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The AI Persona of the Yr Awards have launched a prize fund of $90,000. The general winner will obtain $10,000, whereas class winners throughout AI entertainers, way of life creators, comedians, health consultants, and fictional personalities will obtain money prizes and platform advantages from OpenArt, Fanvue and ElevenLabs.
On the centre of the AI Influencer motion is OpenArt. With over 9 million creators energetic on the platform each month, it has turn into a number one vacation spot for constructing and scaling digital personalities. “With such a large community of creators exploring the possibilities of AI on OpenArt, our platform is focused on democratizing virtual storytelling,” mentioned Chloe Fang, head of technique & partnerships at OpenArt. “Our goal is to empower everyone to build a personality, a world, and a community around it, without needing a studio budget or production team.”
Fang said the awards grew directly out of the momentum from OpenArt’s first AI Influencer Summit earlier this year. “The overwhelming enthusiasm at our Summit in January clearly demonstrated the necessity for larger acknowledgment of this group, so we determined to launch the AI Persona of the Yr awards with Fanvue and ElevenLabs.”
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AI Influencers like Aitana Lopez earn over $20,000 per 30 days by means of model partnerships and direct-to-fan subscriptions on monetisation platform, Fanvue.
“The commercial potential of AI Influencers is huge,” mentioned Will Monange, co-founder and CEO at Fanvue. “This industry is powered by imaginative individuals, creators who may prefer not to be public-facing themselves, leveraging AI to realise their visions and scale and monetise them on Fanvue.”
“We’re seeing AI Influencers across genres, from music to acting, sport and lifestyle, join the platform, engage with fans and monetise content.” Monange added.
Fanvue already hosts globally recognised AI influencers like Aitana Lopez alongside human celebrities including Cardi B and Alisha Lehmann, highlighting how virtual and human creators increasingly operate within the same ecosystem.
The program is also backed by ElevenLabs, the AI voice platform, ensuring entries are judged across every dimension of a digital personality.
Head of Chroma Awards at ElevenLabs, Matty Shimura, commented:”This trade is shifting at a fast tempo. 18 months in the past the variety of AI Influencers globally was within the hundreds, however now we’re taking a look at hundreds of thousands. The progress over the previous yr has been staggering, and we’re excited to assist highlight and assist the following wave of expertise rising in such a quickly evolving house.”
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Entries open March 23 for one month. Existing AI Influencers can enter through creating content on the OpenArt platform, while creators can also build brand new virtual talent and enter the awards. Weekly winners will be announced throughout the competition, with grand winners revealed in May. To enter, creators must develop their AI influencer on the OpenArt platform and submit at www.AIpersonality.ai.
About OpenArtOpenArt is the leading all-in-one generative AI creative platform for visual storytellers, empowering creators to bring characters, stories, brands and worlds to life. With first access to the latest AI models, unified creative workflows, and tools designed around persistent characters and storytelling, OpenArt enables the creation of AI influencers, virtual brands, and original media formats. Founded to push the boundaries of AI creative expression, OpenArt is defining the standard for the next generation of visual storytelling.
About the AI Influencer SummitOrganized by OpenArt, the AI Influencer Summit is the annual meeting point for leaders in entertainment, advertising, technology, and the creator economy. Together, we explore how AI is reshaping storytelling, redefining brand engagement, and transforming how audiences experience media.
About FanvueFanvue is the fastest-growing subscription platform in the creator economy, with 17 million monthly active users and over 250,000 creators.
About the World AI Creator AwardsThe Fanvue World AI Creator Awards delivered Miss AI in 2024. Over 2,500 AI Influencers entered. Kenza Layli, an AI Influencer created to empower women in the Middle East earned the inaugural title. Kenza has returned as an Official Ambassador for AI Personality of the Year 2026.
