This article will address the following questions: How are fashion and artificial intelligence interconnected? How can you use AI to improve your online shopping experience? What are the ethical concerns? Looking forward, how will AI continue to evolve?
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
In this day and age, artificial intelligence is no stranger to us. At its core, artificial intelligence
is defined as the ability of a computer system to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. The new buzz, generative AI, can create entirely new content—whether through text, images, art, videos, music, code, etc. Since its origins in the 1950s, artificial intelligence has become increasingly advanced, popularized, and accessible to the general public.
That being said, now more than ever, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing every industry. Recently, soda company Coca-Cola stirred major controversy by releasing an AI-generated Christmas advertisement. If AI is already being implemented in the advertising industry, what does this mean for the fashion industry?
How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming the Fashion Industry
AI is already shaping the fashion industry in three key areas: product development, supply chain management, and marketing and customer service.
Product Development. The planning, design, and creation process of fashion products.
For fashion brands, often, the first step when creating a new collection includes fashion forecasting. AI can make fashion forecasting efficient. AI platforms such as Heuritech and Stylumia analyze media to detect fashion trends in advance. Being able to anticipate market trends with AI helps brands stay ahead of the curve.
AI, especially generative AI, can also aid in the creative process. Fashion designers can use AI to transform two-dimensional sketches into lifelike three-dimensional models in seconds, allowing them to explore design variations without having to start from scratch. Furthermore, it even helps designers spur new ideas.
Brands looking to improve their sustainability efforts can also use AI to make smarter production decisions to reduce waste output.
Supply Chain Management. The management of suppliers, materials, and delivery of fashion products to consumers.
AI is an invaluable tool in optimizing the supply chain management process. It can cut production costs, help designers find affordable material sources, and track inventory so products stay supplied and well-stocked. PLMBR, an AI service, minimizes data entry time, allowing companies to bring products to market faster.
Marketing & Customer Service. The promotion or selling of clothing to customers and how a brand supports its customers.
Marketing and customer service are integral to any well-received brand, and AI can enhance these areas. AI-powered tools can generate social media content and analyze trends to engage consumers better, helping brands stay one step ahead of the competition.
AI has dramatically improved the digital shopping realm. Some retailers now offer virtual AI styling tools that select products for customers based on their body type, skin tone, or style preference. This creates a completely personalized virtual shopping experience and leads to fewer return items.
Try AI Out For Yourself
Using the link provided above, you can receive personalized fashion recommendations from Styleriser, an AI styling platform, just by uploading your picture and providing your email address.
An Additional Benefit
Now, AI can even protect brands legally. It can be used to detect counterfeit products so brands can go after companies that illegally use any trademarked designs.
Cons of AI in the Fashion Industry
While AI offers numerous benefits, there are ethical concerns regarding its use within the fashion industry. A major concern of AI is its potential to replace the need for human labor. If AI algorithms become too advanced, there will not be a need for designers, marketers, or other professional roles. AI may inadvertently cause job loss.
Homogenization is another challenge that may arise. If AI technology drives too many design and marketing decisions, the fashion industry could become less individualistic and less explorative in pushing creative boundaries. This could lead to a rise in fast fashion, a decline in the quality of fashion products, and an overall decline in interest in the fashion industry.
What Is The Future of AI In Fashion?
One emerging aspect of AI we can expect to see more of in the future is digital fashion. Digital fashion is a virtually sold design that only exists in the digital realm. There are no physical garments. For example, The Fabricant is a digital fashion company that labels itself as “digi-couture.” The company sold a virtual dress for $9,500 to a woman named Mary. The dress was digitally altered onto pictures of Mary. Mary explained, “It would be amazing to wear the outfit on TikTok to express yourself in these apps and have an extra special layer to use.” It is a fascinating concept, but hopefully, with time, prices will be lowered to make it an accessible, inexpensive option for all consumers. “Digi-couture” could be a poignant turning point in the fashion industry and its future.
Let’s Test Generative AI By Giving It Prompts
I wanted to test the extent to which generative AI could create fashion designs specifically using the platform ChatGPT.
Prompt Given: Create an outfit that represents the fashion industry.
ChatGPT explained its reasoning for choosing this look, stating, “Here is an outfit that captures the dynamic and bold spirit of the fashion industry, blending avant-garde artistry with high-fashion elements.”
Prompt Given: Create an outfit that represents artificial intelligence.
ChatGPT said, “Here is a futuristic outfit that represents artificial intelligence, combining elements of technology, innovation, and sleek modernity.”
Prompt Given: Create an image of an outfit that you ChatGPT would like to wear.
Takeaways & Closing Remarks
Without a doubt, the present and the future is in artificial intelligence. Being well-versed in using AI will become increasingly dire in the workforce in the coming years. However, we should not fear AI in the fashion industry; it works best when coupled with human creativity and thinking. The relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence will continue to push the boundaries of innovation. AI will act as a catalyst driving the fashion industry forward by helping designers work more efficiently, optimize processes, and spark fresh ideas. Ultimately, AI should support human innovation, not fully replace the human touch.
What are your thoughts about the use of artificial intelligence in the fashion industry? Is it the future of fashion or a shortcut to the creative process?
Article and Image Sources:
The article cover image was created using ChatGPT.
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