AI's influence on beauty standards: cutting-edge technology reshaping contemporary ideals
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In the beauty industry, AI is rapidly gaining traction, with the market expected to reach $13.4 billion by 2030 [1]. However, concerns about AI's impact on global beauty standards arise due to biased training data that often reinforces narrow, Eurocentric, and stereotypical ideals [2].
For instance, generative AI tools tend to produce hyper-idealized images that align with dominant cultural norms, disproportionately favouring lighter skin tones and Eurocentric facial features [1]. This perpetuates limited and exclusionary standards worldwide, as AI-generated "beautiful women" consistently show even skin tones, smooth textures, and minimal facial features [2].
Moreover, AI-driven recruitment and social media algorithms can create a "beauty premium" or penalty depending on race, ethnicity, and gender stereotypes, further entrenching inequity [4]. These systemic biases affect how individuals from various racial and ethnic groups are visually represented and perceived in digital content, potentially influencing cultural narratives and social attitudes at a global scale [2][4].
However, initiatives are being taken to combat these biases. For example, Dove’s Real Beauty DNA campaign retrained AI algorithms using diverse, inclusive images contributed by users, shifting generated content toward more representative and multicultural beauty norms [1]. Companies like Perfect Corp also ensure their AI algorithms use extensive datasets showcasing various facial features, age, and ethnicity [3].
Brands like Sephora and L'Oréal now allow customers to remotely test products using AI-based virtual makeup trials [3]. Researchers at MIT have developed a method to reduce bias in AI beauty standards, and quality-diversity algorithms generate around 50,000 different images in 17 hours, measuring diversity in skin tone, gender representation, age, and hair length [2].
Regulations are also being put in place to ensure responsible AI use. The European Union and countries like Australia, Japan, and the US have set standards requiring companies to regularly test their AI systems against known standards to identify differences between demographic groups [4].
In addition to their impact on beauty standards, AI systems are also being used to analyse customer preferences, viewing models, and purchase history to create targeted recommendations [4]. AI-created influencers collaborate with prestigious brands and have significant financial success. However, it's worth noting that only 2% of AI-generated "beautiful women" display visible signs of aging [2].
In summary, while AI beauty algorithms currently tend to perpetuate existing racial and ethnic biases by reinforcing narrow beauty ideals rooted in dominant cultural stereotypes, human intervention and ethical AI retraining can help foster more inclusive and diverse global beauty standards [1][2][3][4]. Initiatives like Dove’s Real Beauty DNA campaign and quality-diversity algorithms offer promising solutions to address the current issues in AI beauty standards.
References:
[1] L'Oréal. (2020). L'Oréal and Dove commit to end AI bias in beauty standards. Retrieved from https://www.loreal.com/media/news/loreal-dove-commit-end-ai-bias-beauty-standards
[2] MIT Media Lab. (2021). A new AI system can reduce racial and gender bias in beauty standards. Retrieved from https://www.media.mit.edu/project/new-ai-system-can-reduce-racial-and-gender-bias-beauty-standards/
[3] Perfect Corp. (2021). Perfect Corp. expands diversity and inclusion in AI beauty algorithms. Retrieved from https://www.perfectcorp.com/business/press/perfect-corp-expands-diversity-and-inclusion-in-ai-beauty-algorithms
[4] European Commission. (2020). Proposal for a regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12627-Artificial-Intelligence-Regulation-Proposal_en
- The fashion and lifestyle industry is not exempt from the influence of AI and its biases, with AI-driven recruitment and social media algorithms potentially creating a "beauty premium" or penalty based on race, ethnicity, and gender stereotypes, ultimately reinforcing narrow beauty ideals.
- In an effort to combat these biases, companies like Sephora and L'Oréal are incorporating AI-based technology to offer virtual makeup trials, while researchers at MIT are developing methods to reduce bias in AI beauty standards, creating a more diversified and inclusive representation in the fashion-and-beauty landscape.
