TLDR:
• Dove pledges not to use AI models in advertising, aiming to combat unrealistic beauty standards set by social media.
• While a positive step, Dove’s campaign does not address the root issue of society valuing women based on appearance.
On Tuesday, Dove announced that it will not be using models generated by Artificial Intelligence in its advertising, making it the first beauty brand to take this step. This decision is seen as a move to counteract the increasingly unattainable beauty standards portrayed on social media platforms. The company believes that AI-generated models create unrealistic images that can negatively impact women’s self-esteem and perpetuate toxic beauty standards.
The images produced by AI in response to prompts like “a gorgeous woman” or “perfect skin” were found to be extremely unrealistic, prompting Dove to take action. While this initiative is a positive development, it does not tackle the underlying issue of society valuing women primarily based on their appearances. The campaign highlights the need for brands to consider the impact of their marketing strategies on women’s self-perception and mental well-being.
It is crucial for companies to recognize the harmful effects of promoting unattainable beauty standards, especially in a digital age where social media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of beauty. Dove’s decision to refrain from using AI models sets a valuable precedent for the beauty industry, but more efforts are needed to shift the focus from appearance to other qualities that define a person’s worth.
Ultimately, the goal should be to stop judging individuals based on their appearances and emphasize qualities like respect, kindness, and gratitude for diversity. Dove’s campaign serves as a stepping stone towards challenging existing beauty norms, but there is still work to be done in reshaping societal perceptions of women and their value beyond physical attributes.