Generative AI Used by Social Influencers and Their Trust Among Generation Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61173/cw17v359Keywords:
social influencers, generative AI, generation Z, source credibility theory, trustAbstract
Social influencers are people who emerge on social media platforms with considerable followers. In the era of artificial intelligence, there are social influencers tend to use generative AI to help them complete several tasks, for instance, data collection, data analysis, AI-generated music, images, text, videos etc. This paper will focus on the perspective of visual generative AI seen by audiences. The main purpose of the study is to investigate how generative AI used by social influencers would influence trust among Generation Z. In order to back up my research, the source credibility theory is applied. Questionnaires are handed out in the way of qualitative methods. This study explored the perception of different Generation Z for the trust for social influencers using generative AI.
References
[1] Freberg, K., Graham, K., McGaughey, K., & Freberg, L. A. (2011). Who are the social media influencers? A study of public perceptions of personality. Public relations review, 37(1), 90-92.
[2] Alves de Castro, C., O’Reilly Dr, I., & Carthy, A. (2021). Social media influencers (SMIs) in context: A literature review.
[3] Dimock, M. (2019). Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins. Pew Research Center, 17(1), 1-7.
[4] Yaman, D., & Çakın, Ö. (2021). Investigation of the Relationship between Influencers and Generation Z in the Context of Uses and Gratifications Theory. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Vizyoner Dergisi, 12(31), 955-971.
[5] Feuerriegel, S., Hartmann, J., Janiesch, C., & Zschech, P. (2024). Generative ai. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 66(1), 111-126.
[6] Ouvrein, G., Pabian, S., Giles, D., Hudders, L., & De Backer, C. (2021). The web of influencers. A marketing-audience classification of (potential) social media influencers. Journal of Marketing Management, 37(13-14), 1313-1342.
[7] Zimmermann, D., Noll, C., Gräßer, L., Hugger, K. U., Braun, L. M., Nowak, T., & Kaspar, K. (2020). Influencers on YouTube: a quantitative study on young people’s use and perception of videos about political and societal topics. Current Psychology, 1-17.
[8] Conde, R., & Casais, B. (2023). Micro, macro, and megainfluencers on Instagram: The power of persuasion via the parasocial relationship. Journal of business research, 158, 113708.
[9] Ouvrein, G., Pabian, S., Giles, D., Hudders, L., & De Backer, C. (2021). The web of influencers. A marketing-audience classification of (potential) social media influencers. Journal of Marketing Management, 37(13-14), 1313-1342.
[10] Wach, K., Duong, C. D., Ejdys, J., Kazlauskaitė, R., Korzynski, P., Mazurek, G., ... & Ziemba, E. (2023). The dark side of generative artificial intelligence: A critical analysis of controversies and risks of ChatGPT. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 11(2), 7-30.
[11] Feuerriegel, S., Hartmann, J., Janiesch, C., & Zschech, P. (2024). Generative ai. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 66(1), 111-126.
[12] Carr, C. T., & Hayes, R. A. (2015). Social media: Defining, developing, and divining. Atlantic journal of communication, 23(1), 46-65.
[13] Ohanian, R. (1990). Construction and validation of a scale to measure celebrity endorsers’ perceived expertise, trustworthiness, and attractiveness. Journal of advertising, 19(3), 39-52.
[14] Ohanian, R. (1991). The impact of celebrity spokespersons’ perceived image on consumers’ intention to purchase. Journal of advertising Research.
[15] Munnukka, J., Uusitalo, O., & Toivonen, H. (2016). Credibility of a peer endorser and advertising effectiveness. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 33(3), 182-192.
[16] Balaban, D., & Mustățea, M. (2019). Users’ perspective on the credibility of social media influencers in Romania and Germany. Romanian Journal of Communication and Public Relations, 21(1), 31-46.
[17] Hund, E. D. (2019). The influencer industry: Constructing and commodifying authenticity on social media. Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations, 3636.
[18] Ouvrein, G., Pabian, S., Giles, D., Hudders, L., & De Backer, C. (2021). The web of influencers. A marketing-audience classification of (potential) social media influencers. Journal of Marketing Management, 37(13-14), 1313-1342.
[19] Moriarty, J. (2011). Qualitative methods overview.
[20] Alves de Castro, C., O’Reilly Dr, I., & Carthy, A. (2021). Social media influencers (SMIs) in context: A literature review.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 by the authors.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
