In early March, clothing company Levi Strauss announced a collaboration with an AI company that would launch later this year. The aim was to increase diversity by using AI models – but the collaboration received criticism and the company sent out an updated press release with an apology.
But the concern remains: both that AI models will steal jobs and create harmful body ideals.
"You have to remember that behind these AI models is a fashion industry that hires AI-specialized firms to market certain ideals," says Paula von Wachenfeldt, associate professor of fashion studies at Stockholm University.
She believes that the development is partly about money and that the industry wants to be at the forefront.
The world's first AI fashion week
This week, the world's first fashion week is held where the creations are created entirely digitally. It reports the fashion magazine Vogue. The models should also be digital. And on AI fashion week's website, they write that diversity is desired on the catwalk: "Different ages, sizes, ethnicities – they can even be aliens if you want."
Hear the models about what they think might happen and if their jobs are threatened in the clip above.