AI, Digital Identity & the Future of Modeling: Spotlite Founders Benjamin Hori and Hannah Choi

How is technology reshaping the modeling industry, and what happens when AI enters the creative economy? In this episode, Melissa Bill speaks with Benjamin Hori and Hannah Choi, founders of Spotlite, a pioneering booking platform designed to simplify how brands book models and creative talent. The conversation explores how their platform is modernizing the traditional modeling industry while addressing new challenges around digital identity, ownership of human likeness, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in creative work. Ben and Hannah share the story behind launching Spotlight, their vision for creating a more transparent and accessible marketplace for talent, and the ethical questions that arise as AI-generated models and digital replicas become more common. In this episode, we discuss: The founders’ backgrounds and the creation of Spotlight How online marketplaces are transforming model and creative talent booking How user feedback drove the shift towards human IP infrastructure. The rise of AI and digital identity in the modeling industry Protecting human likeness and intellectual property in the age of AI Spotlight’s vision for expanding into the U.S. market If you're interested in the creator economy, fashion and modeling, AI ethics, or the future of digital marketplaces, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how technology is reshaping creative industries.