Model wins ‘world’s first’ AI pageant alongside her ‘digital twin’
A British model has made history after winning the ‘world’s first’ AI pageant – where contestants compete as digital clones and can even speak languages they don’t know
University graduate Jessica Pliskin, 23, has etched her name in the history books after triumphing in the ‘world’s first’ AI beauty pageant.
She took part in the groundbreaking Black Mirror-esque Avatar Round, which has debuted this year as a first for the Miss England competition. The controversial segment saw beauty contestants crafting digitally replicated versions of themselves to deliver corporate pitches through fully-animated avatars.
Contestants were subsequently assessed on their comprehension and mastery of the technology, with their digital doubles then marketed to brands and agencies in pursuit of commercial deals for a tech company.
Jessica’s virtual counterpart – dubbed Jessa – can be observed addressing the camera, where she chillingly declares: “Hello I’m Jessa and I’m not real.”
The avatar then switches to French – a language Jessica cannot actually speak – before continuing: “Now my likeness can be everywhere, for everyone. Whether you’re promoting products overseas, creating a social media campaign, training staff or delivering presentations, I can represent your message with professionalism, personality and impact.”
Miss England bosses reckon they’re pioneering as the world’s first beauty pageant to incorporate a digital AI segment, aiming to “reflect the world” these young women are entering. The competition has already ditched its bikini swimwear category in an effort to distance itself from antiquated pageant clichés, though opinions remain split on whether this latest addition represents progress or peril.
Jessica, from Bristol, was crowned the winner for her “creativity, technical understanding, and vision” and for utilising technology to make a “positive impact”. She now aims to apply the same technology to deliver AI-powered education to underprivileged communities across Africa, a project that has already received accolades in Zambia.
Jessica is also keen to encourage more women to pursue careers in the under-represented STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and maths. Having recently completed her Master’s degree in Physics at the University of Bristol, Jessica shared: “To see a digital avatar of yourself was very strange – especially when it talks languages you don’t even know.
“We basically spent a day in a studio talking to the camera, wearing a variety of outfits, doing different hand gestures and expressions. And from that, they are able to build a digital AI avatar, which can speak in 150 different languages and is capable of these incredible presentations.
“It is amazing, really, as it is capable of producing something in a matter of hours which would otherwise take a week or several weeks. When you think how long it would you want to make a full social media or ad campaign – that could be even longer, so it was really impressive stuff.
“I am currently a model and I feel the industry is going to change, so I think that this is something that will help me. It will help me adapt to the industry, rather than trying to avoid it and then getting lost.
“I feel truly honoured to have won the AI Avatar Round, as it’s such a revolutionary and forward-thinking new element that’s never been seen before in pageantry. It’s incredible to be part of something that combines technology, creativity, and purpose, and I’m proud to be at the forefront of this innovation.”
Jessica has plans to utilise her new title for a noble cause – promoting a project named School Box Africa. This initiative aims to bring AI-powered education to communities across Africa.
She shared: “I’m now working on using the very same technology for a project I am involved with in Africa. I have set up my own AI firm looking to take AI learning into schools to provide those in need with a free education.
“We are building an AI-driven, locally powered educational system that gives young people in rural Zambia and beyond access to interactive, high-quality learning experiences. We plan to start it in Zambia, we’re meeting their president soon, and then the rest of Africa to use AI avatars to teach an interactive curriculum.
“AI learning is already big in America and I want to see it rolled out to benefit those children most in need who deserve it as I believe everyone has a right to a free education. Our mission is to make quality learning more accessible for everyone.
“I believe technology can play a vital role in breaking down educational barriers and creating equal opportunities for all.” Jessica recently clinched the Miss Bristol title at the Miss England semi-finals.
However, her victory in the AI round has now catapulted her straight into the finals. Jessica expressed her excitement about the prospect of winning the Miss England crown: “It would mean the world to me to win Miss England – it is my dream right now.”
She revealed that her inspiration to participate came from a friend who competed in Miss Italia in Italy, who she considers a role model: “I was inspired to enter as I had a friend in Miss Italia in Italy and she was like a role model for me.” She also spoke about her global efforts to promote access to education: “I’ve travelled the world raising awareness about access to education and this would give me the platform to promote that work.”
Angie Beasley, director of Miss England, praised Jessica’s innovative use of technology: “I’m thrilled to see Jessica embracing technology in such a positive and purposeful way.” She added, “The AI Avatar round is all about preparing young women for the future – combining innovation, confidence, and compassion – and Jessica embodies all of those qualities perfectly.”
John Allard, founder of MirrorMe, the company behind the technology, commended Jessica’s forward-thinking approach: “Jessica represents the next generation of forward-thinking women who are blending technology with social good.” He further highlighted the significance of the AI Women in Business Avatar title: “The AI Women in Business Avatar title is more than just a digital achievement – it’s a gateway to real-world change, and Jessica’s work with School Box Africa is a brilliant example of that.”
Jessica will now compete in the grand final of Miss England, scheduled for 20th and 21st November at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton. The victor will advance to the 73rd Miss World competition, slated for next spring.
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