AI-Generated 'History Influencers' Vlog Their Travels Through Time, Gaining Millions of Views

A young woman in a green puffer jacket greets the camera, claiming to have just arrived in Tudor London, 1536. She’s not a time traveler but an AI-generated character in a viral new format: “history influencers” vlogging their journeys through historical settings. Chloe VS History, with over 610,000 Instagram followers and 15 million YouTube views, is at the forefront. Creator Jonathan Laramy, 32, aims to make history more engaging for younger audiences by leveraging the popular vlog format.

Chloe’s adventures include trying eel pie in a Tudor market, exploring the Titanic’s first-class suites, and bathing in ancient Roman baths. The success has inspired similar channels like Janella Through Time and Nova VS History, with destinations ranging from the Wild West to plague-era England.

Laramy uses Seedance 2.0, combining historical sources and contemporaneous drawings for accuracy. However, the AI sometimes introduces anachronisms like sunglasses in ancient Rome. Despite this, the response is overwhelmingly positive, though some label the content “AI slop,” criticizing its mass-produced nature.

Historian Adam Smith sees potential for these videos to enhance history teaching, comparing them to “Horrible Histories” in their ability to make the past immersive and engaging. He suggests collaborative work between creators and academics could visualise lesser-known events.

The format’s success was recognized with a WIBA award in Cannes, surprising Laramy. As AI video generation improves, the potential for historical storytelling and education expands, though it’s clear these vlogs won’t replace traditional academic or museum experiences but offer a complementary, engaging form.

**Amendment Note (26 May 2026):** The WIBA awards, received by Laramy for his work, are held in Cannes during the film festival, not as part of the festival itself.