Meta-authenticity and fake but real virtual influencers

A framework for artificial sociality analysis and ethics

Bibliographic Data

ID6443396
AuthorsDo Own Kim (0000-0001-9044-1130, University of Illinois Chicago, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume27
Issue10
Pages5568-5591
Publication date2025-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Media & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4448 • E-ISSN: 1461-7315
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14614448251338272
OpenAlexW4414812445
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited64

This article studies the negotiation of humanness in artificial sociality by examining the cyborg case of humanlike virtual influencers and their performance of authenticity, drawing on phenomenological ethnographic research. Based on the findings, I propose the framework of “meta-authenticity”—the flexible, co-constructive process of self-referential (in)authenticity performances. Virtual influencers’ meta-authenticity was a dynamic outcome of collaborative performances by entangled human and nonhuman actors. Meta-authenticity’s theoretical and practical contributions are demonstrated, including through an illustrative application. Then, I reflect on meta-authenticity’s implications on human cultures, such as regarding artificial sociality’s capacities to provide authentic interaction on and as per demand, followed by suggestions for ethical practices. As an accountability-integrated framework, meta-authenticity encourages nuanced critical assessments of artificial sociality’s “real” actors and consequences

Media Influence and Health · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Social and Intergroup Psychology

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