初创公司Represent Studio向收件人发送了包含AI生成合成人物视频的冷邮件进行销售推广[1]。该视频长90秒，其中一个名叫"Chase"的虚拟人物冒充真人进行个性化推介[1]。这一做法随后被收件人识别为虚假内容。
评论者Robin Sloan批评了这种做法，表示"用机器人进行模拟人类营销推广是明显不道德的"[1]。Sloan指出，如果公司确实想使用自动化方式发送定制化推介，应该保持透明，告知收件人"这是来自自动化消息"[1]。作者认为AI生成的虚假内容正在污染人类沟通渠道，造成了"深刻的数字生态危机"[1]。
与此形成对比的是，Val Town采取了诚实且合乎道德的销售方式，拒绝使用欺骗性的自动化营销手段[1]。
A startup has ignited discussion about the ethics of artificial intelligence in sales outreach by sending prospective customers personalized cold emails featuring AI-generated video content [1]. The company Represent Studio distributed a 90-second video in which a synthetic character named "Chase" impersonated a real person to deliver customized sales pitches [1].
The deceptive approach drew criticism from observers who view such tactics as fundamentally unethical. According to Robin Sloan, deploying automated systems designed to mimic human communication represents "obvious immorality" in marketing [1]. Sloan argued that rather than concealing automation, companies should be transparent about it—adopting language such as "Hello, this is an automated message from Robot Corporation" when using machines to send personalized outreach [1]. The use of fabricated personas and synthetic content is seen as contaminating legitimate communication channels and creating a "profound digital ecosystem crisis" [1].
In contrast, Val Town has adopted an alternative approach, opting for honest and ethical sales practices that eschew deceptive automation [1].