AI pets? Social media is outraged as internet’s ‘It Girls’ are using animals for clout

A strange new trend is taking over Instagram as some of the internet’s “It Girls” appear with picture-perfect pets that don’t actually exist. AI-generated animals are quietly slipping into influencer posts, sparking confusion, outrage and a wider debate about authenticity online. As engagement rises and criticism grows, the line between real and curated keeps getting thinner.