TL;DR
UK lifestyle and fashion magazine, SheerLuxe, introduced an AI influencer named 'Reem'.
Reem gives fashion, beauty and travel advice and includes photo's of 'herself'.
Job security and unrealistic beauty standards are major concerns.
SheerLuxe, a prominent UK lifestyle and fashion magazine, has come under fire after introducing an artificial intelligence (AI) influencer named Reem. The AI “editor” is tasked with offering fashion, beauty, and travel recommendations to readers, and she includes sharing images of herself in various outfits and endorsing products! Cool huh? However, the move has sparked a mix of reactions, with some criticising the potential impact on human journalists jobs and the promotion of unrealistic beauty standards.
SheerLuxe initially withheld information about Reem's ethnicity, leading followers to speculate that she might represent Middle Eastern heritage, given the name's Arabic origins. Upon further inquiry, the magazine revealed that Reem's appearance was indeed created in collaboration with an AI creator from the Middle East. Despite the mixed reactions, some individuals have commended the magazine for its innovative approach, viewing Reem more as a brand ambassador than a journalist.
Dan Sodergren, an expert in AI and technology, acknowledged SheerLuxe's attempt at innovation but suggested they might have misapplied it. The magazine apologised, emphasising their long-standing commitment to innovation while acknowledging shortcomings in explaining the introduction of AI.
The brand has seen a slight decline in their Instagram followers following the unveiling of Reem, prompting discussions on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its evolving role in journalism.
Discussion points about AI Influencers:
Do AI influencers threaten job security for human journalists? Or is this just an extension of spell checkers and grammar correction tech that has already become widely accepted in recent years?
Do “perfect” looking AI influencers perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards? Or is this just the same as air-brushing and touching up photos?
Clearly, the use of AI in journalism requires sensitivity and good communication to avoid similar backlash in future roll outs for magazines.
Concluding Thoughts:
The introduction of AI influencers raises questions about the future of journalism, job security, and the evolution of beauty standards. As technology advances, it is crucial for industries to navigate these changes thoughtfully to maintain public trust and ensure responsible innovation.
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Sources:
Source article and further suggested reading : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gw720vz3lo
Images: The Fashion Guild®
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