Latest news with #SaraZiff
CNN
31-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
Fashion giant H&M plans to use AI clones of its models. Not everyone is happy
Summary Fashion giant H&M plans to create 30 digital clones of its models this year. The models would own the rights to their "digital twins" and be paid for each use. The initiative has sparked backlash from industry workers worried about job displacement. Labor activist Sara Ziff expressed concerns about consent and compensation for models. Other brands like Levi's and Mango have already explored AI-generated models in campaigns. Fashion giant H&M plans to create digital clones of its models this year, raising more questions for an industry grappling with both the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on workers. H&M, one of the world's largest clothing retailers, told CNN it plans to create 30 'digital twins' of its models this year, though it is still 'exploring' how these avatars will be used. It added that it is working with others in the industry, like agencies and the models themselves, to carry out this initiative in 'a responsible way.' The models would own the rights to their digital twin, 'potentially work for any brand and get paid on each occasion just like on any campaign production,' the company said. While this pledge to pay models for their likeness was welcomed by Paul W. Fleming, general secretary for the UK's performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, he told CNN in a statement that it must be 'backed up by the widespread adoption of AI protections in union agreements and legislation that protects workers' right,' of which he said few exist. 'The race to 'innovate' in the area of artificial intelligence must also not be a race to the bottom to increase profits,' he added. 'Artificial intelligence would not be possible without human artistry and labour, and humans should remain at the centre of creative endeavours.' H&M's announcement has already sparked some backlash within the fashion industry, where the careers of many workers are already precarious. Sara Ziff, a model turned labor activist who founded the New York-based non-profit organization Model Alliance, said she had 'serious concerns about the use of digital replicas without meaningful protections in place.' 'In an industry that has historically been a backwater for workers' rights, H&M's new initiative raises critical questions about consent and compensation, and has the potential to replace a host of fashion workers—including make-up artists, hair stylists, and other creative artists in our community,' Ziff said in a statement released by the Model Alliance. H&M is not the first brand to explore using these technologies. Jeans-maker Levi Strauss & Co. announced in March 2023 that it would use AI-generated models to 'supplement human models.' It later clarified that 'we are not scaling back our plans for live photo shoots,' after intense criticism. In July last year, Spanish brand Mango launched a campaign generated entirely by AI to promote a new collection of its youth range. Meanwhile, influencers and models created by AI are becoming increasingly common; there was even the world's first-ever AI beauty pageant last year.
CNN
28-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
Fashion giant H&M plans to use AI clones of its models. Not everyone is happy
Summary Fashion giant H&M plans to create 30 digital clones of its models this year. The models would own the rights to their "digital twins" and be paid for each use. The initiative has sparked backlash from industry workers worried about job displacement. Labor activist Sara Ziff expressed concerns about consent and compensation for models. Other brands like Levi's and Mango have already explored AI-generated models in campaigns. Fashion giant H&M plans to create digital clones of its models this year, raising more questions for an industry grappling with both the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on workers. H&M, one of the world's largest clothing retailers, told CNN it plans to create 30 'digital twins' of its models this year, though it is still 'exploring' how these avatars will be used. It added that it is working with others in the industry, like agencies and the models themselves, to carry out this initiative in 'a responsible way.' The models would own the rights to their digital twin, 'potentially work for any brand and get paid on each occasion just like on any campaign production,' the company said. While this pledge to pay models for their likeness was welcomed by Paul W. Fleming, general secretary for the UK's performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, he told CNN in a statement that it must be 'backed up by the widespread adoption of AI protections in union agreements and legislation that protects workers' right,' of which he said few exist. 'The race to 'innovate' in the area of artificial intelligence must also not be a race to the bottom to increase profits,' he added. 'Artificial intelligence would not be possible without human artistry and labour, and humans should remain at the centre of creative endeavours.' H&M's announcement has already sparked some backlash within the fashion industry, where the careers of many workers are already precarious. Sara Ziff, a model turned labor activist who founded the New York-based non-profit organization Model Alliance, said she had 'serious concerns about the use of digital replicas without meaningful protections in place.' 'In an industry that has historically been a backwater for workers' rights, H&M's new initiative raises critical questions about consent and compensation, and has the potential to replace a host of fashion workers—including make-up artists, hair stylists, and other creative artists in our community,' Ziff said in a statement released by the Model Alliance. H&M is not the first brand to explore using these technologies. Jeans-maker Levi Strauss & Co. announced in March 2023 that it would use AI-generated models to 'supplement human models.' It later clarified that 'we are not scaling back our plans for live photo shoots,' after intense criticism. In July last year, Spanish brand Mango launched a campaign generated entirely by AI to promote a new collection of its youth range. Meanwhile, influencers and models created by AI are becoming increasingly common; there was even the world's first-ever AI beauty pageant last year.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fashion giant H&M plans to use AI clones of its human models. Not everyone is happy
Fashion giant H&M plans to create digital clones of its models this year, raising more questions for an industry grappling with both the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on workers. H&M, one of the world's largest clothing retailers, told CNN it plans to create 30 'digital twins' of its models this year, though it is still 'exploring' how these avatars will be used. It added that it is working with others in the industry, like agencies and the models themselves, to carry out this initiative in 'a responsible way.' The models would own the rights to their digital twin, 'potentially work for any brand and get paid on each occasion just like on any campaign production,' the company said. While this pledge to pay models for their likeness was welcomed by Paul W. Fleming, general secretary for the UK's performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, he told CNN in a statement that it must be 'backed up by the widespread adoption of AI protections in union agreements and legislation that protects workers' right,' of which he said few exist. 'The race to 'innovate' in the area of artificial intelligence must also not be a race to the bottom to increase profits,' he added. 'Artificial intelligence would not be possible without human artistry and labour, and humans should remain at the centre of creative endeavours.' H&M's announcement has already sparked some backlash within the fashion industry, where the careers of many workers are already precarious. Sara Ziff, a model turned labor activist who founded the New York-based non-profit organization Model Alliance, said she had 'serious concerns about the use of digital replicas without meaningful protections in place.' 'In an industry that has historically been a backwater for workers' rights, H&M's new initiative raises critical questions about consent and compensation, and has the potential to replace a host of fashion workers—including make-up artists, hair stylists, and other creative artists in our community,' Ziff said in a statement released by the Model Alliance. H&M is not the first brand to explore using these technologies. Jeans-maker Levi Strauss & Co. announced in March 2023 that it would use AI-generated models to 'supplement human models.' It later clarified that 'we are not scaling back our plans for live photo shoots,' after intense criticism. In July last year, Spanish brand Mango launched a campaign generated entirely by AI to promote a new collection of its youth range. Meanwhile, influencers and models created by AI are becoming increasingly common; there was even the world's first-ever AI beauty pageant last year.
CNN
28-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
Fashion giant H&M plans to use AI clones of its models. Not everyone is happy
Fashion giant H&M plans to create digital clones of its models this year, raising more questions for an industry grappling with both the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on workers. H&M, one of the world's largest clothing retailers, told CNN it plans to create 30 'digital twins' of its models this year, though it is still 'exploring' how these avatars will be used. It added that it is working with others in the industry, like agencies and the models themselves, to carry out this initiative in 'a responsible way.' The models would own the rights to their digital twin, 'potentially work for any brand and get paid on each occasion just like on any campaign production,' the company said. While this pledge to pay models for their likeness was welcomed by Paul W. Fleming, general secretary for the UK's performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, he told CNN in a statement that it must be 'backed up by the widespread adoption of AI protections in union agreements and legislation that protects workers' right,' of which he said few exist. 'The race to 'innovate' in the area of artificial intelligence must also not be a race to the bottom to increase profits,' he added. 'Artificial intelligence would not be possible without human artistry and labour, and humans should remain at the centre of creative endeavours.' H&M's announcement has already sparked some backlash within the fashion industry, where the careers of many workers are already precarious. Sara Ziff, a model turned labor activist who founded the New York-based non-profit organization Model Alliance, said she had 'serious concerns about the use of digital replicas without meaningful protections in place.' 'In an industry that has historically been a backwater for workers' rights, H&M's new initiative raises critical questions about consent and compensation, and has the potential to replace a host of fashion workers—including make-up artists, hair stylists, and other creative artists in our community,' Ziff said in a statement released by the Model Alliance. H&M is not the first brand to explore using these technologies. Jeans-maker Levi Strauss & Co. announced in March 2023 that it would use AI-generated models to 'supplement human models.' It later clarified that 'we are not scaling back our plans for live photo shoots,' after intense criticism. In July last year, Spanish brand Mango launched a campaign generated entirely by AI to promote a new collection of its youth range. Meanwhile, influencers and models created by AI are becoming increasingly common; there was even the world's first-ever AI beauty pageant last year.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
H&M Is Tapping AI Models. Here's Why It Could Be Problematic
In this op-ed Teen Vogue's Style Director Alyssa Hardy explores why the use of AI fashion models is getting a mixed reaction in the industry. Just in case unrealistic beauty standards weren't prevalent enough in fashion, H&M has decided to double down with something literally unreal. The Swedish retailer is following in the footsteps of its fast fashion competitor Mango, using AI fashion models in some of the brand's new advertising. According to Business of Fashion, H&M is creating AI dupes of existing models (with their permission) and calling them 'digital twins.' The company plans to roll out 30 models this year – notably the models will own their own AI image and use it with others brands not associated with H&M. The response has been expectedly mixed. While some AI enthusiasts are excited about the possibilities of the technology entering the fashion space, others are pointing out the varying issues that could arise if this practice becomes commonplace. And frankly, the list of potential problems is long. For starters, there is the question of how it impacts the workforce. Sara Ziff, Executive Director of the Model Alliance, sent out a press release on March 25 highlighting how this could take jobs from not only the models themselves but everyone else working on the ads. 'In an industry that has historically been a backwater for workers' rights, H&M's new initiative raises critical questions about consent and compensation and has the potential to replace a host of fashion workers – including make-up artists, hair stylists, and other creative artists in our community,' Ziff says. Plus, for models who are already subject to arbitrary age limits (most models leave the industry by age 25 due, in large part, to ageism), having a duplicate stamped at a particular moment in your young life opens up a host of ethical issues. Sure, you could be paid for your likeness as it's used, but why not hire models at different times in their lives? A loftier issue of AI models, though, is the impact on the consumer. The use of AI has seeped into virtually every aspect of our lives, and increasingly, it's hard to detect — possibly even more so when it's based on a recognizable person like a working model. So far, it's not clear how these AI models might be manipulated; we know they may be frozen in time, a complicated commentary on aging, but digital models may also be subject to virtual nipping and tucking that thins their frames, smooths out wrinkles, and otherwise alters their bodies to fit into ever narrowing beauty standards. So, while we are already in the habit of comparing ourselves to the unrealistic image on the other side of the screen (images that are often digitally altered anyway), now we have to contend with the fact that the person showing us the latest clothing styles isn't even real. This past fashion month, there was a stark lack of body diversity on the runways. According to Vogue Business, of the 8,703 looks shown in 198 shows and presentations, only 0.03% of them were plus size. It's a clear backslide from any attempts to diversify the industry standards – and reflective of the trends across social media that are prioritizing thinness and whiteness. Between AI clothing and AI models, the move points to the consistency with which the fashion industry takes the fun out of style in favor of the quickest profit. Fast fashion brands use algorithms to pump out trends without the finesse of true design and then take the creativity out of a modeled photoshoot with a digital replicate of a real living breathing person. It begs the question, what is it all for? If fashion removes its people, then it's genuinely just about consuming. And that's not style or fashion, that's just soulless heaps of fabric. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more style stories from Teen Vogue? Check these out: Where Did All The Tween Fashion Go? All the Beauty Products We Spotted at the 2024 Olympics 9 Sunscreens Teen Vogue Editors Swear By for Year-Round Protection From Rose Water to Eyeliner, An Ode to Middle Eastern & North African Beauty
