An AI "Designer" Just Won Runner-Up in a Major Fashion Design Competition

An AI "designer" won big at this year's China International Fashion Design Innovation Competition (中国国际服装设计创新大赛), beating out many of its human counterparts before a panel of 50 judges, and causing some to speculate about the impact of AI on creativity. DeepVogue, an AI design system created by DeepBlue Technology (深兰科技), was the only "non-human" participant among 16 teams from around the country. The system went on to win the runner-up prize overall, as well as its "People's Choice Award." According to DeepBlue representatives, the technology requires a great deal of input from human designers, who can import images, themes and keywords into the DeepVogue system. The system then uses "deep learning"– essentially extensive studying by a machine of a database of information -- to produce original designs.