NEWS YOU CAN’T MISS

Goodbye Supermodels? Hello, AI Fashion Models

Mango, the Spanish fashion retailer, has recently integrated AI into its advertising campaigns by employing AI-generated models, particularly for its teen line, "Sunset Dream."

This bold move isn't just a gimmick; CEO Toni Ruiz credits the use of AI across different departments with boosting the company's revenue. Cha-ching! 💰

But how exactly are these virtual models transforming the fashion industry?

1. Cost Reduction: Using AI models is significantly cheaper than traditional photo shoots with human models. Unsurprisingly, supermodel Kendall Jenner costs a lot more to hire than the model in the photo above.

2. Faster Production: AI-generated images can be created more quickly than organizing traditional photo shoots, which is key if you’re constantly putting out cheap new styles (also known as “fast fashion”).

3. Increased Diversity: The technology allows Mango to showcase its clothes on a wider range of body types, skin tones, and ages so it can target ads for a wider range of customers. Ok this is a definite positive for me!

According to Mango, its teams worked to create a campaign using AI that learned from photos of real models wearing the retailer’s clothes, and team members spent time selecting, editing and finessing the images.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The creative industry is going to be hit big and fast with AI infiltrating every part of the process, from actors/models to script writing to filming to production. Huge retailers like Zara, Zalando SE, and Levi Strauss & Co. are also experimenting with AI.

The math is hard to argue with. While human models can command high hourly rates and supermodels rake in even thousands of dollars per day, one AI agency offered AI model usage for a fraction of the cost at just $29 a month. 😬

Is Google’s Search Dominance Under Threat? Yes, No, Maybe?  😬

OpenAI just launched a web search feature within ChatGPT, transforming it into an AI-powered search engine and … honestly .. it’s really fast and it’s pretty good.

• OpenAI's new search function enables real-time web searches, providing users with up-to-date information (click the globe icon in the prompt bar to try it). This positions OpenAI as a direct competitor to traditional search engines like Google.

• But OpenAI isn't alone. Meta is also developing its own AI-powered search engine to offer conversational responses about current events across its platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.

• Then there's Perplexity, a newcomer providing detailed answers to complex queries. Ask it about the history of quantum computing, and it delivers a comprehensive answer with links to research. Its ability to synthesize information is truly impressive.

(P.S. Generative AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity generate answers based on web searches, not just lists of links.)

All this spells trouble for Google, which has dominated search with over 90% market share and massive profits. In 2023 alone, Google's search and advertising revenue hit $175 billion.

But Google isn't going down without a fight! Its generative AI search engine, "AI Overviews," is rapidly expanding and will soon reach over 1 billion users globally. 🤯

This competition could disrupt Google's main revenue stream and change how we access information. Ultimately, we, the users, benefit from this intense competition! Grab your popcorn. 🍿

WOMAN IN TECH

Lilian Weng, VP of Research and Safety at OpenAI

Celebrating this Week's Woman in AI 🥳: Meet Lilian Weng, VP of Research and Safety at OpenAI, the AI powerhouse valued at over $150 billion.

Born and raised in China, she pursued higher education in the United States. Weng earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Beihang University in China and then a Master's and PhD in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University.

Career Highlights

• Weng joined OpenAI in 2018 to work on AI safety and ethics.

• Prior to OpenAI, Weng worked at Snapchat as a Research Scientist, where she focused on machine learning applications for social media platforms.

• Weng is known for her research in deep learning, reinforcement learning, and AI safety and has published papers in conferences and journals.

She assumed her current role as VP of Research and Safety in July, following a series of resignations at OpenAI, including the departure of the team's previous leader. Her mandate includes consolidating safety efforts across OpenAI and managing risks associated with their cutting-edge models—work critical to ensuring the safe and responsible development of future AI systems.

With policymakers increasingly focused on AI risks, Weng was recently featured in Business Insider’s 2024 AI Power List for her leadership in promoting safe and ethical AI. Her prominence is expected to grow in tandem with OpenAI's expanding influence.

It's inspiring to see a woman leading AI safety at one of the world's most influential AI companies.

ps. Worth following: Weng maintains “Lil’Log“ on Github, a blog where she shares her insights on AI safety and alignment. 😎

Food for Thought

Does AI get it right when it comes to representation?

During a recent visit to Microsoft headquarters, Chanel CEO Leena Nair and her team engaged with ChatGPT. They prompted ChatGPT to generate an image depicting Chanel's senior leadership team visiting Microsoft.

The AI responded with an image of men in suits. 😳😡

Nair highlighted this discrepancy during an interview at Stanford University, noting that 76% of Chanel's organization and 96% of its clientele are women and that she herself is a female CEO.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of bias in AI systems and the importance of developing more inclusive technologies.

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.

Until next time!

Ayesha ♥️