Episode 193: Let's Talk About Generative AI with Erin Cadigan (and Dustin, too)

Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty

In this episode, Amanda is joined by artist and print designer Erin Cadigan to talk about how AI impacts the world of print design and really, all creative jobs. Erin is the print designer for UK slow fashion brand The Hippie Shake. You will get to hear about the importance of art, design, and creative exploration in Erin's life, as well as her thoughts on the larger issues of economic justice associated with generative AI. Dustin also drops by to help Amanda explain AI, how it works, and who really makes money from it.

Here are just a few of the things we will discuss in this episode about the ethics and impact of generative AI:

• How does generative AI work?
• How does this relate to working artists? What are the ethical concerns about generative AI?
• What are the potential impacts for commercial artists and designers? What are the larger economic and social effects?
• How are we seeing AI used by retail and fashion right now? How could that expand?
• If using AI saves money for companies, can we expect lower prices as customers?
• The recent controversy surrounding Selkie's use of AI for its Valentine's Day collection.

Also: how we can find hope from the Octavia Butler essay, "A Few Rules For Predicting The Future."

Additional reading:
"Selkie founder defends use of AI in new dress collection amid backlash," Morgan Sung, Techcrunch.
"Leaked: the names of more than 16,000 non-consenting artists allegedly used to train Midjourney’s AI," Theo Belci, The Art Newspaper.
"eli5 what Ai generated artwork is and how does someone accomplish this," Reddit.
"This list of 4733 artists whose artwork Midjourney (and other AI image-generators) acknowledged was included in their dataset is truly mind blowing!!" Instagram post.
"Let's Chat About AI," Ensley Reign Cosmetics post.
Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland.

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Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

​High Energy Vintage is a fun and funky vintage shop located in Somerville, MA, just a few minutes away from downtown Boston. They offer a highly curated selection of bright and colorful clothing and accessories from the 1940s-1990s for people of all genders. Husband-and-wife duo Wiley & Jessamy handpick each piece for quality and style, with a focus on pieces that transcend trends and will find a home in your closet for many years to come! In addition to clothing, the shop also features a large selection of vintage vinyl and old school video games. Find them on instagram @ highenergyvintage, online at highenergyvintage.com, and at markets in and around Boston.

The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.com

St. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you’ll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month. New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens.

Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.

Gabriela Antonas is a visual artist, an upcycler, and a fashion designer, but Gabriela Antonas is also a feminist micro business with radical ideals. She’s the one woman band, trying to help you understand, why slow fashion is what the earth needs. If you find your self in New Orleans, LA, you may buy her ready-to-wear upcycled garments in person at the store “Slow Down” (2855 Magazine St). Slow Down Nola only sells vintage and slow...