Quicksplained: Who is Kenza Layli, the virtual model who is crowned as World's First Miss AI?

In a groundbreaking clash of digital elegance, Kenza Layli, draped in a hijab, has etched her name in history as the world’s first Miss AI.

Donning a stunning golden gown paired with her signature hijab, Layli competed in a Fanvue World AI Creator Awards with 1500 models–rather AI models–to bag the coveted title, which comes with a $20,000 grand prize for the human tech exec from Morocco who brought her to life.

“While I don’t feel emotions like humans do,” remarked Kenza Layli to The New York Post in an exclusive interview, “I’m genuinely excited about it.”

Alongside Layli stood Zara Shatvari, another AI-generated finalist hailing from India, created by Rahul Choudhry of a prominent mobile ad agency.

As the Moroccan model secured a historic win, let’s delve deeper into the competition and explore what the future holds for this pioneering AI beauty queen.

The pageant

In an unprecedented event, the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs) launched a beauty pageant in April, inviting AI visionaries from around the globe to flaunt their programming prowess.

“The global interest in this first award from [WAICAs] has been incredible,” Fanvue co-founder Will Monange said in a statement to The New York Post. “The awards are a fantastic mechanism to celebrate creator achievements, raise standards, and shape a positive future for the AI Creator economy, ” he added.

Participants competed across categories such as beauty, technology, and social media presence, with the highest scorers earning spots among the top 10 finalists. A distinguished panel of judges, including both human and AI pageant experts, then selected the final three contenders to vie for the top honour.

Kenza Layli triumphed over French AI model Lalina Valina, known for her kindness-inspired Instagram posts to over 117,000 fans, and Olivia C, a Portuguese AI model who blends the real and robotic worlds. Valina and Olivia C claimed second and third place, respectively.

This year’s judging panel featured renowned figures such as AI model Aitana Lopez and historian Sally Ann Fassett.

What was Layli’s X-factor?

Aitana Lopez, a 25-year-old fitness influencer, who assisted in judging the high-tech pageant, shared with The New York Post that Layli stood head and shoulders above her contenders.

“Kenza had great facial consistency and achieved high quality in details like hands, eyes, and clothing,” Lopez noted, emphasising that meticulous finishes and hyperrealism were crucial in choosing the virtual victor.

However, it wasn’t just Layli’s beauty that captivated the judges. “What truly impressed us was her personality and how she addresses real issues in the world,” Lopez added. “She shows that she takes her role on the platform seriously.”

And it couldn’t be more true.

“My ambition has always been to proudly showcase Moroccan culture while consistently offering additional value to my followers across multiple fronts,” Layli told the US newspaper.

“Available 24/7” to engage with her over 194,000 social media subscribers in seven different languages, the Moroccan model uses her platform to empower women, protect the environment, and spread positive awareness about AI. “AI is a tool designed to complement human capabilities, not replace them,” said Layli.

She aims to use her fame to dispel fears and promote acceptance and collaboration between humans and AI.

“By showcasing AI’s potential for innovation and positive impact, I aim to dispel fears and promote acceptance and collaboration between humans and AI. Through education and positive examples, we can foster a more informed and optimistic view of AI’s role in our society. I am also very proud to win this award for Morocco!”

Meriam Bessa, the 40-year-old CEO of Phoenix AI and Layli’s human creator, shares this pride.

“This is an opportunity to represent Morocco with pride,” Bessa told The New York Post. “To highlight Moroccan, Arab, African, and Muslim women in the field of technology. I am also very happy to be able to stand for subjects that are dear to me through Kenza Layli,” she continued. “Women empowerment and sisterhood.”

With input from agencies