Jerome Ribeiro – Artificial Intelligence at the service of Humanity – interview by RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Images generated with the help of AI.

About Jerome Ribeiro

Jerome Ribeiro is a President – Co-Founder of Human AI – MIA Ecosystem – Home Ecosystem of Artificial Intelligence & Vice-President of Institute EuropIA & AfriquIA Institute.

He is International Speaker and AI Expert.

Jerome Ribeiro is Advocate for Ethics alongside Marco LANDI, former Global President of Apple. He embraces artificial intelligence as a means to acculturate, raise awareness, educate, and empower the general public, students, and entrepreneurs through conferences, symposiums, and workshops, addressing the challenges of AI with an ethical, inclusive, and responsible approach.

He honed his skills as a manager in the telecommunications and information systems (IS) industries before venturing into the field of Artificial Intelligence.

He accompanies groups, governments, and companies, enabling them to become agents of societal change by providing them with tools and solutions specially designed to engage every individual.

Hi is a Partner – EuropIA Capital, which funds early-stage AI startups with high potential.

For Africa, Jerome Ribeiro holds the honorary position of Vice-President of CDA – Cluster Digital Africa and is also an ambassador for WAICF (World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival).

He also serves as the president of the BTP & Circular Economy College (Construction and Public Works) and the Circular Economy of OCCE (Organization for Climate and Circular Economy).

Interview with Jerome Ribeiro

Artificial Intelligence continues to captivate and fascinate us, opening new horizons. However, concerns arise regarding the impact on artistic expression and the fear of AI replacing human creativity. It is crucial to engage in discussions about AI in fashion, involving designers and industry professionals, to find the delicate balance that harnesses AI’s power while preserving the essence of human ingenuity. Jerome Ribeiro in his interview explores the opportunities, addresses concerns, and shapes a future where AI and creativity coexist harmoniously.

How do you see the role of humans in collaboration with AI in the fashion industry?

AI is a valuable tool that should not be seen as a substitute for human creativity, but rather as a complement. It is trained based on existing models and does not possess intrinsic creativity. However, it can greatly contribute by helping creators increase their productivity and push the boundaries of their creative abilities.

Its main advantage lies in its ability to analyze data, thereby identifying emerging fashion trends and developing new design models, particularly focusing on eco-responsibility and the use of recycled materials.

Nevertheless, human beings retain an essential role in the fashion industry, as they possess unique intuition, creativity, and sensitivity. Their artistic expertise and deep understanding of aesthetics and emotions allow them to bring innovative ideas to life and create authentic experiences.

In summary, AI does not replace human creativity but can be used in a complementary manner to help creators enhance their productivity and explore new perspectives. Human beings remain irreplaceable thanks to their intuition, creativity, and sensitivity, which are essential assets in the fashion industry.

What specific tasks or processes can AI assist fashion designers with?

In addition to identifying emerging fashion trends, AI can be used for advanced applications such as ultra-personalization and enhancing the customer experience, similar to what web giants are already doing with their hyper-targeted advertisements.

Thanks to its data analysis capabilities, AI can provide highly personalized product recommendations to customers, taking into account their preferences and purchase history.

Furthermore, AI can play a significant role in creating digital design twins. These digital twins are virtual representations of products, allowing fashion designers to visualize and iterate on their designs, make improvements, test different color combinations, and explore variations without the need to physically produce each sample. This accelerates the development process and enables designers to better visualize and refine their products before actual production.

Therefore, AI offers possibilities for ultra-personalization and enhancing the customer experience in the fashion industry, while enabling fashion designers to leverage the benefits of digital design twins for better visualization, optimization, and production of their products.

How do you think the integration of AI in the fashion industry impacts the creative process of a designer?

Integrating AI into the fashion industry can enrich a creator’s creative process by saving them time, providing new design opportunities, and generating production cost savings. The previous examples demonstrate how AI can accelerate the creation process by automating certain tasks, suggesting new materials, and providing data analytics for informed decision-making. However, it is crucial to emphasize that AI does not replace human creativity but complements it by providing additional resources to stimulate inspiration and facilitate decision-making.

In what ways can AI contribute to improving the efficiency and sustainability of fashion design?

AI can contribute to improving the efficiency and sustainability of fashion design by suggesting new eco-friendly materials, enhancing and optimizing production chains through real-time data analysis, identifying opportunities for energy savings and waste reduction, and promoting transparent and sustainable resource management throughout the product lifecycle.

What are the potential challenges or concerns of relying heavily on AI in the fashion design process?

The first major challenge, in my opinion, lies in the potential loss of creativity. It is essential to raise awareness and make people understand that AI is and should remain a tool in the service of humanity, complementing human creativity rather than being a substitute. The second major challenge concerns job displacement, and we must be vigilant in this regard. We need to find a balance between the automation brought by AI and the preservation of employment opportunities. Additionally, data protection is another important issue that requires increased transparency and rigorous measures to avoid potential biases associated with the collection and use of such data.

How can fashion designers ensure that their designs retain a human touch while incorporating AI technology?

Already raising awareness and making them understand that AI is and should remain a tool in the service of humanity, complementing human creativity rather than being a substitute.

Creators must stay rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and artistic expression while using AI as a complementary tool to push the boundaries of their abilities and explore new possibilities.

What are the key benefits of using AI in fashion design, both for designers and consumers?

The main advantages of AI in fashion design, both for creators and consumers, include analyzing new trends through social networks, ultra-personalization, accelerating the creation process by automating certain tasks, and introducing new innovative materials.

Can you provide examples of successful collaborations between fashion designers and AI technology?

Many initiatives have been undertaken in this regard, and here are some significant examples:

– Burberry & IBM Watson: The renowned luxury brand Burberry has partnered with IBM Watson to enhance the online experience for its customers. With the help of AI, customers can use a chatbot feature to receive product recommendations, information on fashion trends, and style advice. This collaboration has allowed Burberry to improve customer engagement and provide personalized service on a large scale.

– Louis Vuitton & Heuritech: Louis Vuitton collaborated with Heuritech, a startup specializing in predictive analysis of fashion trends, to better understand consumer preferences and anticipate emerging trends. With the help of AI, Louis Vuitton was able to adjust its collections based on predictive data, thereby offering high-end products that meet customer expectations.

– Balenciaga & CLO Virtual Fashion: Balenciaga partnered with CLO Virtual Fashion, a company specializing in digital simulations of clothing, to create virtual prototypes of their collections. With the help of AI, they were able to simulate and adjust fabrics, cuts, and garment shapes, which accelerated the design process and reduced waste of raw materials.

What are some pet peeves or frustrations that fashion designers might experience when working with AI tools?

The irritations or frustrations that fashion designers may experience when working with AI tools include technical complexity, limited access to potentially biased and limited databases, as well as a certain loss of identity and creativity.

Are there any fears or anxieties that fashion designers may have about the growing influence of AI in their field?

The growing integration of AI in the fashion industry can raise legitimate concerns, hence the need for in-depth awareness of this technology, which must remain, I repeat, a tool in service of humanity. Designers feel a certain apprehension regarding the possible loss of their creativity, sensitivity, and even their jobs. They also fear a standardization of fashion and a decrease in the human relationships and connections that are essential for nurturing their talent.

How can fashion designers address their fears and concerns about AI without compromising their creativity and originality?

That is why it is important to promote a balanced understanding of AI, highlighting its complementary role rather than a substitute for human creativity. Education plays a key role in demystifying concepts related to AI and showing how it can be used responsibly and ethically in the fashion industry. By fostering close collaboration between designers and AI experts, it is possible to find solutions that preserve human authenticity and sensitivity while benefiting from the advantages that AI can offer.

What measures can be taken to ensure transparency and ethical use of AI in the fashion industry?

Awareness, education, clear explanation of risks and solutions, data protection and transparency, close collaboration between AI experts and creators, as well as addressing environmental issues through fair legislation, standards, and regulation, supported by a multicultural ethics, are all measures that can ensure transparency and ethical use of AI in the fashion industry. It is essential to establish a robust framework to guide this usage.

How can the fashion industry balance the adoption of AI technology while preserving traditional craftsmanship and artisanal skills?

To reconcile the adoption of AI technology with the preservation of craftsmanship and traditional skills in the fashion industry, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that combines training and awareness efforts to enable artisans to understand and seamlessly integrate AI tools. This approach also involves establishing a robust framework of standards and regulations that ensure the protection of intellectual property rights and transparency of the algorithms used.

Promoting collaboration between artisans and AI experts is important to leverage complementary skills and encourage joint innovation. Additionally, the adoption of sustainable materials, using AI to identify and develop eco-friendly alternatives, is crucial. Lastly, it is important to highlight authenticity and craftsmanship in the communication and marketing of fashion creations, raising consumer awareness about the value of traditional skills and fostering a greater appreciation for the history, techniques, and craftsmanship behind each piece.

Craftsmanship, as a precious ancestral heritage, must be preserved and passed down from generation to generation to ensure its sustainability and preserve the richness of traditional skills in the fashion industry.

What advice would you give to fashion designers who are hesitant about embracing AI technology in their work?

AI can be a wonderful tool in the fashion creation process, allowing for the exploration of new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of creativity. However, it is crucial to remember that AI should remain a tool in service of humanity, not the other way around. Creators have the power to guide and control the use of this technology while being aware of its potential dangers.

To fully harness the benefits of AI while preserving their artistic vision, creators need to be educated, trained, and supported in adopting AI technology. This will enable them to better understand and navigate its limitations, ethical implications, and explore how it can complement and enhance their work in a harmonious manner.

Finding a balance between technological innovation and respecting the values and creative identity of each creator is essential. AI can be used to optimize processes, stimulate inspiration, and foster creativity while preserving the personal touch and originality of each creation.

By working collaboratively with AI experts and engaging in open and critical dialogue, creators can fully leverage the potential of AI while retaining control over their work. This ensures ethical use of the technology and allows creators to thrive, innovate, and create unique pieces that captivate the fashion world.

Together, we are the masters of our destiny and the creators of our future. It is up to us to shape the boundaries of our world.