AI, Beauty, and Digital Identity
Who Gets to Define the Future? Report by Sharon Lloyd
“At FACE, we recognise the importance of interrogating AI’s role in shaping the future of representation, particularly for Black and Brown communities.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping fashion, beauty, and digital identity at an unprecedented pace. But as we embrace these innovations, critical questions arise: Who gets included? Who gets erased? And what ethical responsibilities come with creating digital identities?
TheGallery AUB, part of Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), hosted the Representation in Digital Spaces Panel Event as part of the Design; Disruption; Divergence exhibition—an initiative exploring the intersection of AI, digital creativity, and human identity.
For those of us working in education and the creative industries, these conversations are not theoretical—they are part of the realities we navigate daily. At FACE, we recognise the importance of interrogating AI’s role in shaping the future of representation, particularly for Black and Brown communities.
Can AI truly serve as a tool for authentic representation, or does it risk further marginalising those who have historically been excluded?
A Conversation Rooted in Digital Equity
The evening began with an introduction from Jennifer Anyan, setting the stage for a thought-provoking discussion on AI-generated models, representation, and digital ownership. She emphasised how AI is not just a tool for creativity—it is a force that is actively shaping who gets to be seen, valued, and heard.
The panel, chaired by Penelope Norman (right) brought together an outstanding line-up of speakers: (L-R)
Alexsandrah Gondora – Shudu’s muse, whose features inspired the digital model’s aesthetic.
Ama Badu – Writer of Shudu’s story and voice, shaping her digital persona and presence.
Cameron-James Wilson (The Diigitals) – Creator of Shudu, the world’s first AI-generated supermodel.
Sharon D. Lloyd – Chair of FACE, Associate Professor, and beauty futurist, bringing a critical perspective on AI’s broader implications for representation and creative education.
Together, we explored the complexities of digital identity, the digital poverty gap, and the ethical responsibilities that come with creating AI-generated beauty.
Shudu: A Case Study in AI-Generated Black Beauty
A key focus of the discussion was Shudu, created in 2017 by Cameron-James Wilson. Marketed as “the world’s first digital supermodel”, Shudu became an AI sensation, appearing in campaigns for Balmain, Fenty Beauty, and Vogue.
However, her success also sparked controversy. Why was a digital Black model—created by a white artist—embraced so quickly by the fashion industry, while real Black models still struggled for opportunities?
The panel unpacked deeper questions around AI, representation, and digital labour:
Who gets to define Black beauty in digital spaces?
What does it mean when AI personas gain more traction than real models?
How can AI-generated Black models open doors for underrepresented creatives rather than replacing them?
This conversation was particularly significant because it brought together those directly involved in shaping Shudu’s identity—offering a rare opportunity to explore AI beauty from multiple perspectives. Cameron-James Wilson, as Shudu’s creator, provided insight into the design and conceptualisation of the world’s first digital supermodel. Alexsandrah Gondora, whose features inspired Shudu, shared her perspective as the model’s muse, reflecting on what it means to see one’s image digitally reinterpreted and reimagined. Ama Badu, as the writer of Shudu’s story and voice, spoke about the process of crafting a personality beyond the visuals, ensuring that Shudu is not just a hyper-realistic image but a character with depth, presence, and narrative agency.
“Why was a digital Black model—created by a white artist—embraced so quickly by the fashion industry, while real Black models still struggled for opportunities?”
With all three contributing to different aspects of Shudu’s existence, the panel offered an unprecedented opportunity to critically examine how AI-generated beauty is conceptualised, shaped, and given meaning—and to ask who ultimately controls these digital identities. This discussion underscored the urgent need to critically examine who is shaping AI-driven aesthetics and whether these technologies are opening doors—or quietly closing them.
When AI Sets Beauty Standards, Who Decides What Beauty Looks Like?
For centuries, beauty standards have been shaped by media, culture, and commerce, but AI is now introducing a new layer of complexity. No longer just a passive reflection of societal ideals, beauty is increasingly being defined by algorithms that make aesthetic choices, filtering and reinforcing perceptions of what is considered “beautiful” through automated processes.
With AI models like Shudu becoming more prevalent in fashion, the panel explored the deeper implications of this shift. Who controls the narratives of AI-generated beauty? Can AI truly serve as a tool for authentic representation, or does it risk further marginalising those who have historically been excluded? And as digital models continue to evolve, what responsibilities do brands and creators have in ensuring these innovations do not simply replicate and reinforce existing inequalities?
As Penelope Norman asked during the discussion: What is being done to ensure AI is developed in a way that is ethical, accountable, and reflective of true diversity?
The Digital Poverty Gap: Who Has Access?
Beyond representation, AI also raises issues of access and equity. AI tools require significant resources—high-performance computing, data, and expertise—creating a digital divide between those who can afford to engage with AI and those who cannot.
This disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, many of whom have historically been excluded from tech spaces due to systemic barriers in education and funding. If AI-driven fashion and beauty continue to be developed without equitable access, then the industry will remain one where a select few dictate the future, leaving others out of the conversation.
For Black and Brown educators, this raises important questions about how we teach, critique, and engage with AI within our institutions and creative spaces.
Continuing the Conversation
The Representation in Digital Spaces panel was a moment to reflect on the larger implications of AI and digital identity for those of us working in creative education and industry. The discussions raised important questions about authorship, visibility, and the structures that shape AI’s impact on fashion and beauty.
At FACE, we recognise that Black and Brown educators must be part of these conversations, interrogating the ways AI is shaping our industries and the opportunities—or exclusions—it creates.
The Design; Disruption; Divergence exhibition at TheGallery AUB, part of Arts University Bournemouth (AUB)continues to examine these themes, inviting audiences to reflect on the intersection of AI, creativity, and human identity.
Read more about the exhibition at: AUB – Design; Disruption; Divergence Exhibition.
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