EEEU 2024 conference context; Springer first online: June 18, 2025 (DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-4116-1_9)
Virtual Influencers & Gen Z Trust
Trust in AI-generated influencers is conditional. Credibility and relevance can increase purchase influence only
when disclosure is clear and persona consistency is maintained.
Conference context: 2024 Springer first online: June 18, 2025 (DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-4116-1_9) Co-Author
Research Snapshot
Strategic Question
This study outlines trust drivers that can be prioritized for Gen Z virtual-influencer programs.
The key decision is how to sequence credibility, relatability, and creative novelty without crossing
ethical boundaries.
Reported direct effects on purchase intention from a peer-reviewed virtual influencer SEM model (JTAER 2025, Table 4).Reported moderation effects showing how source credibility changes path strengths (JTAER 2025, Table 6).
Build transparent disclosure architecture first, reinforce credibility signals second, and amplify visual novelty
only after trust stability is confirmed across touchpoints.
Prioritize credibility cues before aesthetic amplification, then use relatability as a scaling lever for behavioral intent.
Conversion risk can rise when persona consistency weakens across posts, platforms, or sponsorship contexts.
Persona redesign should be a late intervention, triggered only when trust decay persists after disclosure clarity and relevance
adjustments have already been applied.
Operational scaling should proceed only with explicit safeguards that protect informed consent and reduce manipulation risk.
Transparent AI disclosure
Clearly identify synthetic persona status to prevent hidden manipulation and maintain informed audience consent.
Vulnerability-aware messaging
Avoid exploitative persuasion patterns for younger cohorts with high social conformity sensitivity.
Accountability in paid influence
Use explicit sponsorship markers and verifiable claims to reduce trust erosion after campaign exposure.
Equity guardrail
Gen Z audiences should receive clear disclosure and manipulation-risk protections so AI-enabled
influence does not create asymmetric information disadvantages.
