Artificial Intelligence Debuts in Vogue, Raising Concerns Over Its Impact on Black Women
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, the introduction of AI-driven marketing campaigns and cinematic videos has sparked controversy. A pioneer in this field is Seraphinne Vallora, who specializes in such campaigns and videos. However, concerns about these AI models perpetuating racial bias, lack of diversity, and potential negative impacts on employment and representation have come to the forefront.
A survey conducted by The Fashion Spot in 2016 revealed a stark disparity, with 78.2% of models in spring 2016's fashion adverts being white, compared to only 8.3% being Black. This disparity has led to questions about whether AI models are reinforcing Eurocentric beauty standards, sidelining Black models and other underrepresented groups, and failing to address systemic racism within the industry.
An example of this can be seen in Vogue's use of an AI-generated model for a Guess campaign, which featured predominantly Eurocentric traits, sparking backlash for reinforcing stereotypes despite ongoing efforts to diversify fashion imagery.
The use of AI models also raises ethical questions about their impact on employment opportunities, particularly for those from marginalized communities who already face underrepresentation and job scarcity in the industry. The replacement of human talent with AI not only threatens models but also affects makeup artists, photographers, and production crews.
Leomie Anderson, a Black model who has spoken out about discrimination in the industry, expressed her concerns to Dazed and Elle Magazine. She believes that the use of AI models makes visibility for Black women even harder.
Seraphinne Vallora, the creator of the AI-generated model in the Guess advertisement, stated that the choice of race for the model was influenced by Instagram followers. However, Vallora has previously worked on editorial shoots for Harper's Bazaar and Elle, showcasing a range of diverse models.
The double-page Guess advertisement was created by AI marketing agency Seraphinne Vallora, featuring a blonde AI model wearing two different outfits. The fashion industry's struggle with diversity, particularly Black representation, has been long-standing, and the use of AI models like Shudu, created by a white man, does not seem to be addressing this issue.
Critics argue that brands can profit from Black aesthetics without addressing racism or inequality behind the scenes by using AI models. This year, Vogue Business called 2023 "the year fashion backtracked on diversity."
However, not all is lost. Cameron James-Wilson, the creator of Shudu, stated that he wanted to create a strong and powerful image celebrating a beauty not often represented in media. This intention, if carried forward, could pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse fashion industry.
In conclusion, the use of AI-generated models in the fashion industry raises significant concerns about racial bias, lack of diversity, and potential threats to employment opportunities. It is crucial for the industry to address these concerns and strive for a more inclusive and equitable representation of all races and ethnicities.
- Concerns about the AI models in the fashion industry persist, as they may perpetuate racial bias, lack diversity, and have negative impacts on employment, particularly for those from marginalized communities.
- The use of AI models, such as Shudu, created by a white man, has been criticized for not addressing the long-standing issue of Black representation in the industry.
- To pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse fashion industry, it is essential for brands to ensure that their use of AI models is accompanied by substantive efforts to address racism and inequality behind the scenes.
