These days, I feel like my ability to distinguish between 'real' and 'fake' is slowly deteriorating.

It's not just a matter of confusion; the fake seems more attractive and feels more real.

Even for someone like me, working at an IT company in San Jose, my standards of beauty are shaken every time I see images or videos of women created by AI.

When I look at AI-generated images of women, they are clearly non-existent people.

Yet they seem to breathe, blink, and even make expressions that seem 'aware' of the camera lens.

It's no longer obvious CGI, nor is it human... it's like a fantasy that brushes past reality?

The surprising thing is that these AI models are no longer just for 'display purposes.'

In fact, 100% AI-generated video advertisements are already being aired on TV. No actors, no filming, no lighting—everything is created by artificial intelligence.

As a real example, a Japanese cosmetics company recently broadcast an entire advertisement video, including the model and even the voice, all created by AI.

So, was the advertising effect poor? No. The click-through rate is more than double compared to before, and the production cost is one-fifth. Moreover, companies are thrilled because there are 'no controversies.'

No matter how perfect the smile, this AI model won't have dating rumors, past statements, or sudden outbursts.

However, this raises a philosophical question. Must beauty be real? Or is it enough if it just looks good?

The standards of beauty we think of are gradually shifting towards images created by AI. Those standards... are perfect.

The eyes are tilted exactly 15 degrees, the face is composed according to the golden ratio, and the skin never has a blemish.

As this 'perfection' continues to pour in, real people start to look increasingly 'lacking.'

I believe this trend signifies the decline of natural beauty. In the past, saying "You are more beautiful because you are natural" was a compliment, right?

Now, saying "You look like AI" has become a greater compliment.

In fact, our company's designer often receives requests these days to make influencer photos look like they were edited by AI.

So, the standards have changed. It's not about resembling humans anymore; it's about resembling AI.

Of course, this technology is truly limitless. Dramas without celebrities, movies that can be completed with unknown actors, music videos that can be made in a day... all of this is possible.

In the advertising industry, the 'AI model casting cost' has already been established, and AI model exclusive contracts have emerged.

So, where do real models go? Well... in the past, if you couldn't act, you couldn't shoot an advertisement, but now, the 'existence itself' is no longer necessary.

AI can simply set the 'ideal appearance' and create everything. Height 176, hazel eyes, light ochre skin tone... done.

Ultimately, we are now living in an era where a perfect fake is dominating the market over the real. I call this 'the advance of the fakes.'

It's scary yet cool, and while it's impressive, it's also a bit bittersweet.

Oh, and one last thing to add. Don't expect too much from your next dating profile picture.

That picture might be AI. We are now in an era where even gazes, smiles, and existence can all be configured.

We are currently in the midst of an era of realistic fakes.