The anticipated annual conference of the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI) is set to take place in Halifax, UK, next month, bringing the focus on the benefits and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the apparel sector. The conference is targeted at showcasing insights from early adopters who have embraced AI across the fashion industry.
ASBCI intends to demonstrate how AI tools could potentially disrupt the entire fashion supply chain, instigate innovation, and create competitive benefits. In addition, it aims to address the emerging risks and ethical dilemmas regarding the exploitation of this technology. The conference aims to help fashion industry professionals understand the potential and risks associated with AI amidst rapid tech developments and far-reaching changes.
Julie King, ASBCI Chair, emphasized the conference’s importance, stating that understanding the risks and potential of AI is of priority for the fashion industry. However, she added, keeping abreast of developments and understanding what should and shouldn’t be done regarding the technology can be challenging. Hence, the conference represents a significant opportunity to explore the topic from various perspectives during a crucial juncture for the industry.
The conference will include presentations from key figures in the industry. Jack Stratten, Head of Trends at retail trendspotting agency Insider Trends, plans to deliver a keynote that highlights the positives and negatives of innovation and AI in retail. His presentation will provide insights into the effects of these technological developments in the real world.
ASOS’s head of digital creation, Nick Eley, will peel back the curtain on the retailer’s experience with the rise and integration of AI in product design and presentation. He will explain how the use of 3D software, AI, and emerging technology has sparked innovation and efficiency for the online fashion retail company. Eley will highlight how such technology enhances creativity, streamlines workflows, and reduces time to market.
Ameba co-founder, Cedric Hoffman, will explore how AI can improve real-time supply chain transparency. Being an AI-powered supply chain platform, Ameba’s insights will be valuable in learning how automatic extraction and structure of relevant product and supplier data is helping businesses improve and innovate.
Additional conference topics will cover how AI could revolutionize demand prediction and inventory optimization to augment the customer experience. The co-founders of the Fashion Guild will discuss the advantages and threats of integrating AI into design processes.
The conference will also explore intriguing topics like how AI might be used to tackle overproduction and cater to customers’ fit requirements. A personalisation expert will present on the former, while Alvanon CEO Jason Wang will share his expertise on the latter. As well as AI’s supply chain benefits, discussions will include topics like sustainability and materiality.
In the day’s line-up is a view into the legal complexities surrounding AI, such as intellectual property and HR. Jenny Holloway from Fashion-Enter will discuss how AI can revolutionize sustainable and ethical apparel production. This conference promises to be an enlightening event for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and the fashion industry. The conference appears to offer a comprehensive view of AI’s role in the contemporary fashion landscape, making it a must-attend event for industry professionals.
