London-based model Alexsandrah has found a unique way to stand out in the fashion industry - by creating a digital twin of herself through artificial intelligence. This AI-generated counterpart has already been used in photo shoots, with Alexsandrah receiving credit and compensation just like a human model. This innovative approach is part of a growing trend in the fashion industry, where AI is being used to showcase diversity and reduce fashion waste.
However, not everyone is on board with this new technology. Critics raise concerns that digital models could potentially replace human models, makeup artists, and photographers, leading to job losses in the industry. There are also worries that consumers could be misled into thinking AI models are real, and companies could use them to fulfill diversity commitments without actually hiring diverse models.
Despite the controversy, companies like Levi Strauss & Co. have experimented with AI-generated models to add more body types and underrepresented demographics to their websites. However, after facing backlash, Levi clarified that AI models were not meant to replace live models or the company's commitment to diversity.
One company at the forefront of this technology is Lalaland.ai, co-founded by Michael Musandu, who wanted to see more models who looked like him in the fashion industry. Musandu's company pays humans to train its algorithms and aims to supplement traditional photo shoots rather than replace them. He believes that AI models can enrich the shopping experience for consumers and reduce fashion waste.
For model Yve Edmond, who works with major retailers to check clothing fit, the rise of AI in fashion modeling raises concerns about the treatment of models as independent contractors with few labor protections. Despite the potential benefits of AI models, it is clear that there are still ethical and practical considerations to be addressed in the fashion industry's adoption of this technology.
themes: AI (Artificial intelligence)
