AI influencers are making 46% of social media users uncomfortable, and marketing expert Tony Chapman says that discomfort is justified. Fake fitness ads promise six-packs in 28 days with AI-generated bodies. Seniors are losing money to voice-cloning scams that sound exactly like their grandchildren. The trust collapse isn't just about AI—it's about an advertising system that lets platforms profit from deception.

Shane and Tony break down the shift from macro influencers (Kardashians getting $200K per post) to micro influencers (niche experts building real authority), and why even those models are under threat. They discuss how Instagram's algorithm weaponizes your curiosity—pause on one turtleneck ad and you'll see 4,000 variations. Tony explains why false advertising that would get you sued on radio flies unchecked on social platforms, and how AI is now sophisticated enough to scrape your Facebook posts and impersonate your family members in fraud calls.

The conversation lands on a counterintuitive solution: face-to-face business. From farmers markets to boutique brands, Tony argues that human interaction is becoming the new competitive advantage. Entrepreneurs who started with handwritten thank-you notes and single-customer validation are now in Walmart. When platforms lose credibility, real people win.

KEY TOPICS:

- AI influencer trust collapse and user discomfort rates

- Macro vs. micro influencer marketing effectiveness

- False advertising loopholes on Instagram and Facebook

- AI-powered voice cloning scams targeting seniors

- Face-to-face business models as competitive advantage

GUEST: Tony Chapman, Marketing Expert & Host | chatterthatmatters.ca

Originally aired on 2026-01-07