Fashion designers, pattern makers and writers face the greatest threat for job displacement due to the growth of artificial intelligence, according to Charles Darwin University associate professor Niusha Shafiabady.
Shafiabady - who has a PhD in electrical engineering-control and systems, a master of science in mechatronics, and a bachelor of engineering - says generative AI tools that are cheaper and can produce quite good results can easily replace these roles.
The associate professor says designers and pattern makers in particular must consider adding their own creativity to AI-generated designs.
“If they don’t, they would be out of jobs soon,” Shafiabady says. “If I were a fashion designer or a pattern maker, I would start thinking about how I can produce appealing and unique designs while leveraging AI tools.
“If I couldn’t compete with the AI tools, I would make a change in my career.”
However, Shafiabady says designers and pattern makers must not rely too heavily on AI as they could produce the same designs if they input similar parameters in the AI system to assist their design process.
“If they lose creativity, their jobs could be displaced by AI systems too.”
Meanwhile, Shafiabady says a fashion writer can get assistance from generative AI tools, but says their jobs too could be at stake if they completely rely on AI in their writing.
Modelling jobs could also be displaced by virtual reality-based shows.
The associate professor shared these comments in an interview with Ragtrader, with her key point being that AI is expected to change the way everything is done in the fashion industry.
“Some jobs will be displaced and new opportunities will be created,” she says. “AI and globalisation will bring about a rebirth to the fashion industry in my opinion.
“I am anticipating to see different and new designs and patterns that are generated based on the AI systems. The jobs that are less based on critical and analytical thinking skills will be most likely displaced.
“People will be using AI to make their jobs easier and faster, and many other changes that we can’t foresee."
Shafiabady then began to list other key roles across the fashion industry and how they can be impacted.
“A stylist can use AI to look for new ideas and think out of their comfort zone,” Shafiabady says. “A fashion buyer could use AI to make optimal decisions on what to buy and in what quantity that serves the markets best. Of course, the experienced people in the industry are already doing it and the influx of AI could displace their jobs.”
AI could also be beneficial to retail managers to identify which styles and what quantity of them would be more likely in demand, which can minimise their warehousing costs.
“As long as a retail manager provides strategic direction towards the decisions made, their job is less likely to be displaced within the next few years.”
Fashion photographers can use AI to create photos without really having to take them. Of course, Shafiabady says there is the ethical aspect of this, which needs to be taken into consideration.
“In the future, a photographer’s job could be displaced by AI unless there is a need for a physical real setting for a specific photo for some reason.”
Meanwhile, a salesperson could use AI to direct their sales decisions objectively to know what product they should focus on to achieve a better outcome.
“Their job has the potential to be displaced,” Shafiabady says. “But in the current environment, in my opinion, salespeople will keep their jobs within the next few years.
“There are many other jobs in the fashion industry that could be affected by AI but the best approach is thinking smartly and leveraging the technology to our advantage rather than being threatened by it.”
Shafiabady then addresses business leaders, saying they must prepare for the inevitable influx of AI.
“Things are different for different industries, but all industries, including the fashion industry, will be affected by AI,” she says.
“It is the responsibility of business leaders to start thinking how to strategise in leveraging AI ethically and responsibly by foreseeing the upcoming challenges and changes it is bringing about.
"One of the projects me and my team are working on is predicting sales. I believe these types of applications of AI are really useful for the retail industry to decrease their overhead and optimise their operation costs."