Virtual influencers: The rise of computer-generated celebrities in marketing

admin 2023年5月8日

Beginner

science & technology, science & technology - beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Have you heard about virtual influencers before?
Have you ever followed a virtual influencer on social media?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

trend /trend/

[noun] – a new development in clothing, makeup, etc.
The trend of online shopping has become increasingly popular during the pandemic.

audience /AW-dee-uhns/

[noun] – the (number of) people watching or listening to a particular television or radio program, reading a particular book, or visiting a particular website
The new TV show has a huge audience, with millions of people tuning in to watch it every week.

attend /uh-TEND/

[verb] – to go to an event, place, etc.
Maria wants to attend the concert of her favorite band next weekend.

raise /reyz/

[verb] – to cause to exist
The event has raised many important issues.

society /suh-SAHY-i-tee/

[noun] – a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how to do things and sharing the work that needs to be done. All the people in a country, or in several similar countries, can be referred to as a society
Our society is becoming more diverse, and it’s important to respect people from all walks of life.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Step into the world of technology and prepare to be amazed by the latest trend taking the industry by storm: virtual influencers! These digital personas have taken social media by storm with their stunning looks and engaging personalities.

Virtual influencers are computer-generated characters who can interact with their audience on social media. With the help of 3D modeling, animation, and artificial intelligence, they can promote products, attend events, and collaborate with real-life influencers. Brands can customize virtual influencers to fit their image and values, creating an authentic and engaging way to market products. However, the rise of virtual influencers has raised ethical concerns. Some worry that their existence blurs the line between reality and fantasy, making it difficult for us to distinguish between the two. Others fear that the use of virtual influencers could lead to further exclusion and underrepresentation of real-life influencers, particularly those from marginalized communities.

In conclusion, as technology continues to evolve, we must remain vigilant and question the impact it has on our society and culture. Only then can we ensure that we use it to build a better, more inclusive world.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Virtual influencers are computer-generated characters who can interact with their audience on social media.
With the help of 3D modeling, animation, and artificial intelligence, virtual influencers can promote products, attend events, and collaborate with real-life influencers.
Brands can only use virtual influencers if they fit their image and values.
Some people worry that the use of virtual influencers could lead to further exclusion and underrepresentation of real-life influencers from marginalized communities.
As technology continues to evolve, we should question its impact on society and culture.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

trend

audience

attend

raise

society

We are going to ______ a wedding next month, so we need to buy new clothes for the occasion.
Our ______ has made great progress in terms of equality and diversity in recent years.
Many teenagers today follow the ______ of wearing oversized clothes.
Her responses ______ doubts in my mind.
The author’s latest book has received positive reviews from ______ around the world.