export_ofoct.com (1)

[00:00.67] Alexsandrah is a fashion model in London.

[00:03.86] She has a twin.

[00:05.45] But her twin is not her sister.

[00:08.11] The twin is a product of Artificial Intelligence, or AI.

[00:13.95] Whenever Alexsandrah is not available to work with a photographer, the virtual twin takes her place.

[00:22.19] When a company chooses to use the AI Alexsandrah, the real-life version gets paid.

[00:30.16] Alexsandrah said her AI twin is exactly like her.

[00:35.47] Alexandrah’s twin is an example of how computer images are influencing creative industries.

[00:43.70] Those in favor of using AI in fashion say the virtual models permit companies to show possible buyers how their clothing looks on people of all shapes and sizes.

[00:59.37] In the real world, it would be difficult and costly to find a model for every skin color and body shape.

[01:10.53] The companies that make clothing say using AI prevents people from buying their products, trying them on at home, and then sending them back if they dislike them.

[01:24.61] The problem is that AI models can take work away from human models, makeup artists and photographers.

[01:35.76] The fashion industry has often been criticized for using models who are only white or tall or who fit one idea of beauty.

[01:48.51] Activists for including many groups in fashion say some companies could seem like they are employing minorities when they are just using AI models.

[02:02.33] Sara Ziff is a former fashion model who started Model Alliance, a nonprofit group for workers’ rights in the fashion industry.

[02:14.01] Ziff said the use of AI shows there is a difference between the industry’s words and its actions.

[02:24.63] Levi Strauss is an American clothing company known for its blue jeans. In March 2023, the company said it would be testing AI-generated models from a company in Amsterdam.

[02:42.17] The aim was to show how its clothing fit people of all sizes.

[02:48.27] But after criticism, the company said it would not reduce its use of human models.

[02:56.24] Levi Strauss said it would not “substitute” AI for action toward its “diversity, equity and inclusion goals.”

[03:07.67] The Associated Press (AP) recently asked some clothing businesses to state their position on the use of AI models.

[03:18.55] AP asked Target, Kohls, Nieman Marcus, Walmart and Macys.

[03:26.26] It also asked international companies Temu, Shein and H&M.

[03:34.23] Some chose not to answer.

[03:38.47] Others said they do not use AI models.

[03:43.25] Walmart said it does not use AI models but “suppliers may have a different approach to photography.”

[03:52.29] Lalaland.ai creates AI models.

[03:56.27] Michael Musandu started the company.

[03:59.99] Musandu grew up in Africa and studied in the Netherlands.

[04:04.50] He started the company when he saw that not many models looked like him – Black and African.

[04:11.94] “One model does not represent everyone that’s actually shopping and buying a product,” he said.