Model’s ‘digital twin’ wins world’s first AI beauty pageant

By Ed Chatterton

A model has been crowned the winner of the world's first AI beauty pageant after wowing judges with a computer-generated "digital twin" clone of herself.

University graduate Jessica Pliskin, 23, made history after coming out on top in the futuristic Black Mirror-style Avatar Round, which was introduced this year for the first time in the Miss England contest.

The divisive round featured beauty queens creating digitally cloned versions of their real-life selves to perform corporate presentations to the camera using fully-animated avatars.

They were then judged on their grasp and understanding of the technology before their avatars were pitched to brands and agencies in a bid to secure commercial contracts for a tech firm.

Jessica's digital twin - named Jessa - can be seen talking to the camera, where she eerily says: "Hello I'm Jessa and I'm not real."

She then begins talking in French - a language she does not know in reality - and adds: "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 organisers believe they are the first beauty pageant in the world to introduce a digital AI round to help "reflect the world" the young women are stepping into.

The contest has already axed its bikini swimwear round in a bid to move away from outdated pageant stereotypes but there have been mixed opinions on whether the new round is dangerous or progressive.

Jessica, of Bristol, was named the winner after impressing judges with her "creativity, technical understanding, and vision" and for using technology to make a "positive impact".

She now plans to implement the same technology to bring AI-powered education to deprived communities across Africa as part of a project which has already won plaudits in Zambia.

Jessica also wants to promote women working in under-represented professions in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Jessica, recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Bristol, said: "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 now plans to use her new title for a good cause by promote a project called School Box Africa - an initiative designed to bringing AI-powered education to communities across Africa.

She added: "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 won the title of Miss Bristol at the recent Miss England semi final but she will now be fast-tracked to the final having won the AI round.

She added: "It would mean the world to me to win Miss England - it is my dream right now.

"I was inspired to enter as I had a friend in Miss Italia in Italy and she was like a role model for me.

"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, said: “I’m thrilled to see Jessica embracing technology in such a positive and purposeful way.

"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 firm behind the technology, added: “Jessica represents the next generation of forward-thinking women who are blending technology with social good.

"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 go on to compete in the Miss England grand final, taking place on November 20 and 21 at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton.

The winner will go forward to the 73rd Miss World, set to take place next spring.