Amish Avatar and A.I. Monk Promote Supplements on Social Media

Synthetic influencers created with AI are hawking untested dietary supplements, raising concerns about consumer deception.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Melanskia, an Amish-looking woman with over 300,000 Instagram followers, and a self-described Buddhist monk with an English accent are just two of the AI-generated influencers promoting an untested dietary supplement called Modern Antidote. The supplement's creator, Josemaria Silvestrini, is part of a growing number of entrepreneurs using AI to produce realistic-looking virtual personalities to market their products, often without disclosing the synthetic nature of the influencers. This practice is raising alarm about consumer fraud and deception as the technology behind these "deepfakes" continues to improve.

Why it matters

The use of AI-generated influencers to promote supplements and other wellness products highlights concerns about consumer protection in an industry where perceptions of authenticity and identity are crucial to purchasing decisions. As the technology behind these synthetic influencers becomes more advanced, there are growing calls for regulation to require clear disclosure when content is AI-generated.

The details

Melanskia, an AI-generated Amish woman, boasts over 300,000 Instagram followers and promotes the benefits of a $50 supplement called Modern Antidote. Another AI-generated influencer, a self-described Buddhist monk living in Tibet, promotes fiber supplements and soursop bitters on an account with 125,000 followers. The supplement's creator, Josemaria Silvestrini, says he uses over three dozen independent creators to market the product using these synthetic influencers, which he says allows for experimentation and cost savings compared to using real people. While some states have passed laws requiring disclosure of AI-generated content, enforcement remains a challenge.

  • In December 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the nation's first legislation explicitly requiring the disclosure of 'synthetic performers' in advertisements.
  • In February 2026, a study in the British Journal of Psychology found that people overestimated their ability to recognize AI-generated faces, leaving them vulnerable to 'fraud and deception.'

The players

Melanskia

An AI-generated Amish woman with over 300,000 Instagram followers who promotes the benefits of a $50 supplement called Modern Antidote.

Josemaria Silvestrini

A 28-year-old entrepreneur running a company from Shanghai that uses AI-generated influencers to promote an untested dietary supplement called Modern Antidote.

Timothy Caulfield

Research director at the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta who says the use of AI has grown in the wellness space, where consumers rely on perceptions of authenticity and identity to make buying decisions.

Cameron Wilson

Runs The Diigitals, one of a handful of modeling agencies representing only virtual talent, who says 'early adopters of A.I. have realized that there really is a lot of money to be made in different ways' but 'the problem is that most of them seem to be deceptive ways.'

Ambrosia Brands

The parent company of the Rosabella brand, which used a wide array of AI avatars on TikTok to promote its moringa supplement before the product was recalled due to a salmonella outbreak.

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What they’re saying

“A.I. is a game changer. Every piece of the business is being A.I.-ified.”

— Josemaria Silvestrini, Entrepreneur (The New York Times)

“It's so tremendously efficient. You can curate an image that perfectly fits the vibe you're trying to produce.”

— Timothy Caulfield, Research Director, Health Law Institute, University of Alberta (The New York Times)

“Early adopters of A.I. have realized that there really is a lot of money to be made in different ways. The problem is that most of them seem to be deceptive ways.”

— Cameron Wilson, Founder, The Diigitals (The New York Times)

What’s next

The New York law requiring disclosure of 'synthetic performers' in advertisements is set to take effect in June 2026, and it remains to be seen how it will be enforced and whether it will be preempted by any federal regulations.

The takeaway

The rise of AI-generated influencers promoting supplements and other wellness products highlights the need for stronger consumer protection regulations around disclosure of synthetic content. As the technology behind 'deepfakes' continues to improve, there are growing concerns about the potential for fraud and deception, especially in industries where perceptions of authenticity are crucial to purchasing decisions.