From Virtual Salespeople in China to Dev Teams Betting on the End of Marketing Departments

Virtual Avatars Outsell Humans in China’s Livestream Boom

In China’s frenetic livestream e-commerce scene, AI-powered “virtual human” presenters are outshining real streamers.

A digital avatar—a Brother printer mascot—already scores 30% higher sales on platforms like Taobao, all thanks to AI choreography, real-time responses, and tireless energy. This isn’t gimmick; it’s a new model redefining what sales looks like—24/7.

Tamale Shop Goes Viral with AI-Infused Humor

L.A.’s The Original Tamale Company turned a family-owned first-gen eatery into a social media darling thanks to a cheeky, meme-inspired AI video.

Scripted with ChatGPT and narrated by AI, a 46-second clip hit 22 million views in mere weeks, proving that AI creativity paired with authenticity can deliver serious ROI for even the smallest businesses.

Salesforce AI Adoption Slows—Decision Fatigue Hits Customers

Salesforce’s AI agent, Agentforce, isn’t having an easy ride. Customers report feeling overwhelmed by “decision fatigue” as AI tools flood the market.

Cloud-based solutions may promise efficiency, but complex pricing, unclear ROI, and rapid rollout have put a drag on adoption—even pushing Salesforce stock slightly lower.

Most Developers Say AI Will Replace Marketing — Soon

A revealing survey from CMS firm Storyblok shows 74% of developers believe AI could manage “most or all” marketing tasks in their companies.

Familiarity breeds confidence, they say—nearly 90% already use AI regularly in workflows. The implication? We might soon see fewer human marketers and more AI-driven strategies.

What These Trends Spell for Businesses and Creators

• Human authenticity still matters, but AI avatars like China’s virtual streamers might become the new workhorses in e-commerce.
• Small players are winning with wit + AI, proving the medium isn’t the message—creativity is.
• Tool overload is real. Tech fatigue isn’t about rejection—it’s about clarity and simplicity.
• Workforce roles are shifting fast. When developers expect AI to replace marketing, you know the future is closer than we think.

Feeling overheated by AI hype? Want human-forward strategies that blend creativity with tech? I’ve got you covered.