Viral clothing brand Selkie has been criticized for using artificial intelligence art in its new clothing line. For a company known for ethical manufacturing and imaginative design, turning to machine-generated art is not a good idea.
This week, Selkie launched its Valentine’s Day 2024 collection, “Home Where the Heart Is,” showcasing some of the new pieces in an Instagram post. Unfortunately, fans quickly realized something was amiss. Selkie’s new collection includes several animal illustrations, which are used in sweaters as well as repeating patterns on dresses. However, eagle-eyed observers noticed that one of the photos featured a puppy with more toes than a typical dog.
That hot Selkie bubble skirt is only suitable for the fantasy world of Instagram
When asked, Selkie confirmed that founder Kimberley Gordon used “vintage art, artificial intelligence and computer painting” to create the images in the Valentine’s Day collection, which is also confirmed by product listings on its website. While Selkie acknowledged the technology is “controversial,” the company said Gordon “loves the future of artificial intelligence” and “believes it’s something worth trying, for students, graphic designers, artists, small businesses and more.” What an incredible tool!”
The words dropped like a lead balloon. Disappointed fans widely derided Selkie’s use of generative artificial intelligence, lambasting the company for turning to ethically dubious technology rather than commissioning real human artists — especially when it sells polyester dresses for hundreds of dollars.
Artist Lauryn Ipsum wrote in the post’s most popular comment: “If you had actually done the AI research you claim to have done, you would also understand that this is a technology that requires theft and exploitation of workers in order to function.” “Do you want theft and exploitation attached to your brand?”
Selkie has since restricted comments on her Valentine’s Day Instagram post. Still, criticism of its use of artificial intelligence has come from all directions, dominating conversations about the brand on Facebook. Twitter/Xand TikTok.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
The revelation of Selkie’s use of generative artificial intelligence appears to have severely damaged its image as a carefully curated fairytale fantasy. Many people noted that while they were initially attracted to Selkie for its ethical reputation, they no longer feel comfortable purchasing from the brand given its use of artificial intelligence. Even setting aside these concerns, some commentators believe Selkie’s use of generative AI diminishes the value of its brand.
However, despite the overwhelming negative reaction, Selkie still stands by its decision to use artificial intelligence, saying Gordon is an artist who has “used many different techniques in Selkie designs over the years.”
“As an artist who loves technology, and seeing artificial intelligence already being used in different ways by other brands, it was important to learn about this new medium and how it may or may not work for Selkie as a brand and herself as an artist,” ” Selkie commented on their original post on Instagram.
“While the conversation around artificial intelligence continues to evolve – even from designing this collection a year ago – it’s all part of discovery, growth, and ensuring that if this is the future of fashion, Selkie is leading the way, not lagging behind. We’d love to Knowing how this series is received, we will use customer feedback from this series to make decisions about how we use artificial intelligence in the future.”
If Selkie does accept feedback, we hope the brand won’t see any AI-generated design elements in the future. Even so, customers expressed doubts about trusting Selkie in the future.
Image source: Selkie
Gordon reportedly defended Selkie’s use of artificial intelligence on multiple projects, but the distrust has not been alleviated. Deleted comments From her personal Instagram account. While Selkie’s founder seemed to acknowledge that generative AI is often built on stolen art, she said she didn’t believe the use of the technology was unfair and tried to explain why her own work had been used in the past. Stolen to prove it.
“I support it for a few reasons, the first being that I’m a woman who owns a small business and the AI train won’t stop because I’m not on it,” Gordon wrote in a screenshot shared on social media. “It’s only going to grow, and I think it’s smart as the future and technology evolves. The second reason is because artificial intelligence uses billions of images to create images, and my own art is included in that! I’ve been making it public Art “It was stolen for 15 years and I had to get over that. As a female artist, using this tool in my own way is my rebellion against artificial intelligence. I use it because it’s mine and it’s yours.” “
It’s unclear exactly which artificial intelligence model Selkie used to produce the images. Mashable has reached out to Selkie for comment.
“We all use cobalt phones mined by children and we pick our judges in this crazy world,” Gordon allegedly further stated. She does not seem to address the fact that it is more morally feasible to acquire a painting of a puppy than it is to acquire a smartphone, or that one is more important to the basic functions of modern society than the other.
Selkie’s bubble skirt went viral a few years ago, selling the daydream of magical escapism that many of us craved at the time. Sadly, all dreams must come to an end, and in this case, it seemed like a rather rude awakening.
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