With her flawlessly rendered appearance and dramatic digital narratives, virtual influencer Lil’ Miquela has been challenging ideas of authenticity on Instagram since 2016. Why are brands and social media users embracing these CGI celebrities and could they ever replace their human counterparts?

What benefits would encourage app users to hand over their data? How are digital platforms helping people understand their heritage and wellbeing? Would added humanity make AI helpers more attractive? And what’s the appeal of temporary gadget ownership?

With more time spent at home, the use of voice assistants has risen but many remain wary. What’s important for building trust in these devices? Canvas8 spoke to Jonas Föhr, a marketing and consumer researcher, to understand how people create and maintain trust with voice assistants.

After lockdowns forced artists to get creative to reach fans, K-pop management group SM Entertainment seized on the moment to create the first 'blended reality' girl group, with human members and virtual avatars. Aespa is designed for global pop consumption in an increasingly digital-first world.