Infomercials have come a long way since the days of Ron Popeil’s pocket fisherman and Suzanne Somers’ ThighMaster. But as we step further into the 2020s, a new force is redefining how products are pitched: artificial intelligence.
AI isn’t just supporting the infomercial industry—it’s transforming it from the ground up. From AI-generated spokespeople to real-time product demos, the infomercial of the future is smarter, faster, and surprisingly human.
Meet Your New Host: AI Influencers
In June 2025, a watershed moment happened in China: an AI-hosted infomercial generated over $7.5 million in product sales during a single seven-hour livestream. Created by tech giant Baidu, the broadcast featured hyper-realistic AI avatars of popular influencers—convincingly human in look, voice, and behavior.
The reaction? Over 13 million people tuned in, most unaware they were watching AI.
This isn’t science fiction. It’s a preview of what’s coming to Western markets too. AI avatars can now be generated in minutes, speak in multiple languages, and adapt their tone based on audience engagement.
Always-On, Always-Pitching
Traditional infomercial hosts are engaging—but human. They need breaks, schedules, and studio crews. AI, on the other hand, never tires. It can:
- Host live QVC-style streams 24/7
- Personalize product pitches in real-time
- Change languages instantly to reach global audiences
- Run A/B-tested scripts dynamically based on viewer response
AI allows brands to scale their pitch infinitely, breaking through time zones and budgets like never before.
Deepfake Demos and CGI in Real Time
Another area AI is revolutionizing? Product demonstrations.
Imagine watching a blender effortlessly puree a rock—except the rock, blender, and demo were all AI-generated. With advances in deepfake tech and generative video, these demos are becoming indistinguishably realistic—and much cheaper to produce.
This allows marketers to:
- Generate thousands of demo variations in minutes
- Tailor visuals to demographics and regional tastes
- Simulate “impossible” product outcomes that still feel believable
It’s the ultimate special effects studio, powered by prompts instead of million-dollar budgets.
AI + Human = Hybrid Infomercials
The future isn’t AI replacing human pitch people—it’s AI augmenting them.
Expect to see:
- AI-generated co-hosts that assist human presenters
- Virtual clones of celebrities delivering messages in any language
- AI voiceovers that dynamically localize and translate messaging
Brands are starting to license the likeness of real-life pitch legends and extend their presence virtually—imagine Billy Mays in 4K, still selling OxiClean, powered by voice cloning.
What About Trust?
With all this AI magic comes a critical concern: authenticity.
Consumers are already wary of misinformation online. The rise of AI-hosted infomercials will raise regulatory questions:
- Should AI presenters disclose their non-human status?
- Can digitally generated demos be trusted?
- How do you prove product claims from synthetic videos?
Transparent labeling and ethical guardrails will be essential as the industry evolves.
The Bottom Line
AI is ushering in a new era of infomercials—one where hosts never sleep, demos are limitless, and personalization is instant.
The core of infomercials hasn’t changed: it’s still about building trust and excitement around a product. But the tools have become exponentially more powerful.
From Ron Popeil’s “set it and forget it” to Flex Seal’s “that’s a lotta damage” to Baidu’s AI selling $7.5M overnight—we’re entering an age where the best pitchman might not even be human.
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