AI is reshaping our world, including how we perceive beauty. But what happens when AI-generated images perpetuate unrealistic and limited beauty standards? Dove, working with VML South Africa and Adobe Firefly, is taking a stand. Discover how Dove is changing the face of generative AI, one "imperfect" feature at a time. Together, we'll #KeepBeautyReal.
Dove's Real Beauty Generation
Dove challenges AI beauty standards. Using a custom microsite, users refine AI-generated images to be more inclusive.
Client
- Unilever
Office
- Johannesburg
Challenge
AI-generated imagery is on the rise, threatening to exacerbate the problem of unattainable beauty standards. With AI primarily trained on existing media that promotes narrow ideals, Dove recognised the need to intervene and ensure AI reflects the true diversity and beauty of real women. The challenge was to develop a solution that could influence the very algorithms shaping our visual landscape.
Inspiration
Dove's longstanding commitment to "Real Beauty" provided the foundation for this initiative. The brand recognised the opportunity to leverage AI's power for good, not to create flawless images, but to celebrate the unique features that make each individual beautiful. By training AI to recognise and value these "imperfections," Dove aimed to shift the narrative and promote a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Idea
VML South Africa, working with Adobe, developed the Real Beauty Generation microsite. This platform utilises Adobe Firefly's beta API to allow users to refine AI-generated images, adding features like freckles, wrinkles, and diverse skin tones. User feedback and prompt data are then fed back to Adobe, helping to train the AI to be more inclusive and representative of real beauty.
We have an opportunity to drive further African and South African representation within Generative AI through prompts reflective of the diverse races and ethnicities in our region.
Dominique Baxewanos
Creative Director at VML South Africa
Growth
Dove's Real Beauty Generation initiative is an ongoing effort to champion a more inclusive and authentic representation of beauty in the age of AI. By working directly with Adobe and empowering individuals to participate in the training process, Dove is not only influencing its own imagery but also shaping the future of AI-generated visuals, paving the way for a more diverse and representative digital world.
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