What exactly is AI (artificial intelligence)?

Pritish Bagdi

AI is the intersection of computer science and data science, as well as machine learning, to create algorithms that can generate a system of predictions or analyses based on inputted data. Machines used in this technology are designed to mimic the human mind and can learn and improve over time to adapt their processes.

When it comes to art and design, AI has been applied in such a way that a constant stream of content can be created. However, the actual process of creating AI imagery is fraught with trial and error. When a creator enters such a platform, they are asked to provide a prompt, which can be as general or as specific as they want. As the machine learns and understands what is being asked of it, the images produced get closer and closer to the desired output. The smallest change to the prompt can completely change the imagery, and the more that is explored, the more detailed the final product.

Music, art, fashion design, and other creative fields are now subject to AI technology, in a sector that is rapidly evolving in response to accelerating interests. Experts in the field are also investigating whether AI can be creative without the need for human intervention in order to better understand the depth of communication between humans and machines.

#thecommunique #lifestyle #AI #metatainment #meta #nft #education

The year 2022 will be remembered as the year of digital fashion and the rise of the metaverse.

This year, the term "metaverse" became completely unavoidable, infiltrating nearly every consumer's mindset and trickling into nearly every brand's marketing strategies.

Pritish Bagdi

Decentraland's Metaverse Fashion Week 2022.

Whether it was the regular release of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the establishment of virtual retail spaces, or the introduction of virtual influencers, the world of digital fashion has only grown, laying the groundwork for what is to come.

January: The month of NFTs

While 2021 may have officially been the pinnacle year for NFTs, their usage by fashion brands seemed to have prominently seeped into the beginning of 2022 through branded launches and digital clothing drops. While the likes of Balmain, Gap and Gucci got in on the trend, either through collaborations or platform unveilings, other fashion companies were instead tackling the drawbacks that come from ownership within the digital world. Hermès took to suing creator Mason Rothschild for alleged “trademark infringement” over his release of NFT ‘Metabirkins’, stating that the artist was “appropriating the brand” through the launch. A similar filing was later sought by Nike against StockX, which released NFTs using the brand’s logo and likeness.

February: Virtual events take hold

This month, a number of conferences and fashion weeks that were held exclusively online coincided with the real-world fashion week season, making the phenomena of virtual events more and more obvious. The third iteration of Digital Fashion Week NYC has come to an end. Everyrealm and Jonathan Simkhai collaborated on a fashion show in the virtual world of Second Life, and even Paris Hilton joined the movement by announcing her own fashion week in association with Boohoo. While this was going on, participating designers in "regular" fashion weeks also included digital technology into their live runway presentations, with some even launching games, virtual goods, and NFTs alongside their traditional product lines.

March: The world’s ‘first-ever’ Metaverse Fashion Week

After months of anticipation, the highly anticipated Metaverse Fashion Week (MVFW) took place in March, with a slew of designers and brands unveiling digital activations, fashion collections, and shows. The event defined the time period, dominating media platform coverage as thousands of users descended on Decentraland to witness the event. While The Fabricant and Dolce & Gabbana debuted virtual collections on the runway, Dundas, Selfridges, and DKNY were among those to open digital store locations where "players" could shop and explore both digital and physical merchandise.

April: The metaverse spills out into the wide industry

For the month of April, digital fashion began to merge into further corners of the fashion industry, engaging consumers that weren’t initially linked to the rapidly expanding concept. Pronovias became one of the first bridal brands to explore this sector, launching a series of wedding-themed NFTs based on its 2023 collection. Meanwhile, sportswear giant Adidas revealed an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar creation platform and luxury fashion house Marni dove head first into an immersive fashion experience to display its latest collection. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) also took its first steps into the metaverse, launching an educational Web3-based programme for its members.

May: Branding and advertising agencies get in on the gig

To keep up with the fast rise of the metaverse so far in the year, it became evident that marketing agencies were also going to have to get in on the gig in order to support brands and their interests. This was something that ad tech company Hivestack was quick to adopt through the launch of its metaverse-based advertising offer, backing and supplying digital world advertising. Meanwhile, creative agency Cult opened an in-game marketing hub to support retailer’s entries into the digital realm. Other industries were also jumping in on digital fashion, including gaming giant Epic Games, which invested in virtual retail developer PixelPool, and colour authority firm Pantone, which unveiled wearable metaverse technology.

June: Meta takes its first steps

While Meta made it known that it was putting its emphasis on metaverse development, the social media group was arguably trailing behind others when actually integrating the virtual world into its operations. It wasn’t until June when it first introduced an avatar clothing store, albeit boasting a strong line up of designer brands among its mix, including Prada and and Balenciaga. Meanwhile, other brands were continuing to cement their place online, with the likes of Tommy Hilfiger expanding its Roblox presence and media platform Complex launching the third edition of its metaverse-based ComplexLand.

July: Educational initiatives aim to drive the industry

Educational initiatives revolving around the metaverse had been prominent all year round, and launched by a wide variety of brands, platforms and companies that each aimed to help start-ups and those new to the industry get their foot in the door. This idea was further emphasised in July by Farfetch, which launched its own Web3 accelerator programme to support emerging companies in the sector. Additionally, the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI) also hosted the third edition of its Digital Fashion summer course, which welcomed students and established brands alike to learn more about this advanced technology.

August: Pop-ups, start-ups and thrifting take centre stage

While large-scale, well known brands had seemingly led the way in 2022, smaller labels and emerging retailers were beginning to gain traction in the digital realm by August. While sneaker start-up The Edit LDN entered the digital world via an NFT partnership with Bloktopia, Depop backed designers on its platform by enabling them to release digital pieces within The Sims 4. Newly founded digital-first brands also found their footing, including the phygital brand Cult&Rain which launched its own metaverse and Zero10 that opened a physical pop-up where digital garments could be tried on. This was all tied together by the unveiling of a soon-to-be-launched digital fashion marketplace Draup, which will be centred around supporting independent brands and designers.

September: Luxury has its heyday

Luxury was arguably at the forefront of most digital fashion movements over the course of the year, but during this month luxury brands became even more consistent in their launches, rapidly expanding the sector further. Bulgari took its first steps into the metaverse with a Zepeto-based experience, Dundas joined Roblox offering up a digital fashion collection for the platform and Alibaba celebrated the five-year anniversary of its Tmall site with the debut of a virtual shopping platform for its luxury brand partners. Additionally, CFDA unveiled more digital features, including a metaverse-based exhibition, and Gucci announced the appointment of a CEO for its new Metaverse Ventures division, hinting at its continued focus on the sector.

October: Marketing becomes metaverse first

Next to a series of NFT drops and digital product launches, October was defined by marketing activities that gave a glimpse into how digital fashion could be used throughout media in the near future. While Marks & Spencer debuted its first virtual influencer and Burberry unveiled a campaign through Minecraft, Snapchat took digital promotion one step further at an event in Amsterdam, where it allowed visitors to test out its augmented reality (AR) product features for a selection of brands. Additionally, as an expansion of its London Fashion Week line up, Black PR revealed a number of digital showrooms in a bid to aid its portfolio brands in entering the space.

November: Virtual stores present new opportunities

Virtual stores were something that brands had only begun to explore at the beginning of the year, but towards its end the concept had been fully adopted and implemented by a range of established retailers. Lacoste was among those, introducing an immersive shopping experience where visitors could purchase digital products and take part in interactive settings around the store. Additionally, for its 150-year anniversary, department store Bloomingdale’s also debuted a digital store, albeit with multiple floors that were dedicated to various partner brands, including Chanel and Ralph Lauren. Meanwhile, sportswear giant Adidas dropped another range of NFT wearables just days after independent fashion group Xtended Identity introduced a rentable fashion collection.

December: AR shopping evolves e-commerce

AR shopping went even further for December, as brands looked towards unique activations to support their holiday campaigns. Next to dropping its DressX collaborative collection, H&M introduced an AR feature onto its e-commerce app allowing shoppers to try and buy digital fashion pieces that could be viewed through a camera lens. Puma debuted a similar virtual try-on feature on its own newly launched app, albeit with a variety of footwear products, while Bershka also partnered with DressX on virtual clothing to be worn via an AR lens.

#thecommunique #tc #tcn #metatainment #metaverse #AR #NFT

A complete guide of metaverse terms you need to know

Digital worlds and the metaverse are becoming increasingly hard to avoid, as younger generations and their digitally-centred lifestyle begin to have further influence over the way brands communicate with their audiences. As this progression continues, more and more terms have been adopted and introduced to describe the widening range of elements within the digital field, often making it complex to know what exactly is going on amid all the advancements.

Pritish Bagdi

So as not to get left behind as digitalisation rapidly develops, FashionUnited has compiled a selection of terms and words that are imperative to understanding this vast new realm.

Metaverse

In contrast to the common belief that the term ‘metaverse’ refers to one sole virtual world, it is actually used as an umbrella term to describe any virtual world that provides digital experiences as an alternative to or a replica of the real world. These virtual worlds can incorporate virtual reality or mixed reality, in spaces that can often be inhabited, interacted with and moved through on a digital platform. This network of virtual worlds are usually based around social connections and gaming, allowing users to connect and communicate with one another as they move around an open world space.

Web3

Web3, or Web 3.0, is often considered to be the ‘next generation’ of the internet that aims to connect and engage users on a larger scale. While Web2 refers to the internet we know today, where 2D web pages require scrolling and clicking in order to interact, Web3 looks to take this further by introducing more immersive websites and platform designs.

Additionally, much of Web3 is based around average users becoming ‘owners’ of the internet, allowing them to generate platforms and create content for their own gain. This form of internet is decentralised and not overseen by big tech giants.

Virtual world

A virtual world can be both a simulated version of the real world or a made-up environment. In most cases, virtual worlds are generated as a space that can be inhabited and allow for interaction between users through the use of avatars. Many users can access and explore the platform at one time, with options to build and travel within the world also usually available. Some even come with their own economy and marketplaces, where players can purchase digital assets. Popular virtual worlds brands have been known to frequent include Roblox, The Sandbox and Decentraland.

Non-fungible token (NFT)

A non-fungible token, mostly known as an NFT, is a digital certificate that helps to authenticate ownership of a digital asset. Backed by the blockchain, an NFT can be tied to unique assets like an image, music or avatar that are non-interchangeable. The concept really flourished at the beginning of 2021, and since has allowed designers and artists to claim ownership over their work online.

Brands have also integrated the feature into their own metaverse-based projects, selling off NFTs that can be used as ‘keys’ to provide access to exclusive content, membership events or digital products that can be worn in a virtual world, as a new form of engaging consumers.

Virtual reality (VR)

Virtual reality, also known as VR, refers to an immersive, computer-generated environment where users can be fully immersed in a simulated reality. To access such a space, products like VR headsets are used, providing a 360 degree view of a virtual world and allowing for the possibility of movement and interaction.

Augmented reality (AR)

Unlike VR, augmented reality, or AR, overlays digitally-generated images onto the real world. The feature can often be accessed through a device like a mobile phone, where, through a camera function, users can view real life environments with overlaid graphics.

Social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat utilise AR through filters and lenses that can digitally adapt a face or the real world. Brands have also implemented this technology to launch ‘virtual try-on’ features, allowing shoppers to see what an item would look like on, via a digital filter.

Mixed reality (MR)

Mixed reality (MR) describes the merging of real world and computer-generated environments, allowing physical and digital content to be combined in a way that enables interaction throughout both. Initiatives based on this concept that have launched previously include that of fashion shows that exist both in the real world and digitally, or the display of a real life event via a virtual, open-world platform.

Extended reality (XR)

Extended reality (XR) brings together the technologies behind VR, AR and MR to create a computer-generated virtual experience that merges the physical and virtual worlds. Brands that have implemented this strategy have launched initiatives such as virtual shopping experiences that allow consumers to shop through an avatar in a digital iteration of a real world environment.

Avatar

An avatar is a digital character that is often used to represent a player or user in a virtual world. While traditional avatars in Web2 are static icons that do not interact with their environment, in Web3 avatars come as an extension of their user and can perform a range of functions in an immersive space.

These digital individuals have developed over time to be customisable characters in games or as virtual influencers that are capable of representing brands and interacting with audiences. Examples of this include Lil Miquela and Shudu Gram, both of which have garnered significant social media followings.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term used for a machine that mimics human-like cognitive skills, like the ability to solve problems or process natural language. While robots are sometimes considered a prime form of AI, it usually describes computer programmes that have these capabilities. As it collects information, they can often improve themselves and learn from experiences. AI can be used to inform algorithms to help brands automatically determine relevant content to display to shoppers in order to personalise their experience and communication.

Blockchain

A blockchain is a platform that provides a collective record of information that can only be altered and updated by a select network of computers. Through the use of distributed ledger technology (DTL), data within a blockchain cannot be copied but can be used to carry out secure transactions.

Blockchain platforms have been used as the base for cryptocurrencies, as well as the management of supply chains, enabling companies to securely track their goods and services. The feature is known for being almost immune to hacking, since data is stored throughout an entire network.

Cryptocurrency

This digital form of currency, cryptocurrency, can be spent both online and offline and is managed and created by those who purchase it. Well known forms of this payment method include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple, all of which can be managed via a crypto wallet that encrypts a user's transactions. The decentralised system uses cryptography, a practice that ensures secure communication, instead of a centralised third party.

Mint

‘To mint’ references the process of creating an NFT and involves the creation of a unique certificate of authenticity for a particular asset. As part of the process, a creator can cement the details of an asset, including information on who owns it and how much was paid for it, so it can then be published on a blockchain to be sold, bought and traded.

Metaverse wallet

A metaverse wallet, which can also be known as a digital wallet or crypto wallet, allows its users to hold and make transactions via cryptocurrency. Where this form of payment is used, a wallet will be required to manage, track and pay for an asset. Some iterations of a metaverse wallet also enable users to store NFTs and digital assets they may have bought.

Decentralisation

In terms of digital asset management and blockchain platforms, decentralisation is linked to the transfer of control and decision-making from a sole individual to a wider network. This process aims to reduce the level of trust members can place on one another, and spread authority over a group to create a fairer service.

Decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO)

A decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) is a blockchain-based organisation led by its own members. Contracts managed by a particular group can dictate the rules and governance of a DAO, many of which provide users with voting rights and direction of a particular metaverse-based project. The concept aims to make the metaverse a more community-centred space by spreading responsibility.

Phygital

The word ‘phygital’ is formed from the merging of ‘physical’ and ‘digital’, and refers to the marketing of an asset, whether it be an item of clothing, art piece or otherwise, that exists both digitally and physically. Many brands have utilised this format to allow shoppers to own a physical item and a digital iteration of the same piece, which can then be worn by their avatar in a virtual world. This can also be called a ‘digital twin’.

Creator economy

As an evolution of influencer culture, the creator economy within the metaverse applies to individuals, brands and social media influencers that create original content that they earn money from. This can be virtual world activations like selling NFT assets, designing products, hosting events and more, all of which followers can engage with online. While TikTok, YouTube and Instagram have previously led the way in this sector, live streaming platforms like Twitch have further bolstered this trend.

Internet of Value (IOV)

The Internet of Value (IOV) is a term often used to describe technologies that rely on decentralised operations, such as blockchain and cryptocurrency. It is a global payment network that enables users to transfer value, assets and data for monetary value. This can include stocks, votes, intellectual property, music and more. It is also possible to connect physical objects to the internet through the function in order to control them remotely.

Meta verse changing the things around the world here is all that you need to know.

Metaverse is the future of the coming generations! let’s start by understanding what metaverse actually is. Metaverse is nothing but a virtual world for all the day-to-day activity, this includes all the things that we do right now, things like meeting your friends and family, going for a study session with your friends in the library, or even in terms of working at your workspace. All of these activities would be done in the Metaverse in the near future. Meta verse will be a bridge to give the experience of the real world in virtual reality.

Now, this really changes the lifestyle of people really in the business world pretty much where in near future, if you are a company owner you have the potential to tonally run your company online. With meta verse, you will be able to create a virtual office or a workspace for your employees and they can join in the verse and start working remotely very easily. With the hype of meta verse, service-based companies are most likely to go all in online mode and operate it through meta verse working spaces.

Companies are using the innovative tools of the metaverse to create a better experience, especially in the online seminars and programs that are conducted. Here virtual icebreaker rooms are created with which people can work with different people from different parts of the world and can make new connections, exchange their means of contact, and have the potential to become business partners as well.

Global events can also play a big part in the near future where different brands can host a live online event on the metaverse and expand their business by hosting the event on a larger scale online. This allows brands to get worldwide exposure for their brand and also to interact with their customers in real-time and host a one-to-one session to know more about what the customers want from the brands and expand on that basis. Meta verse provides a great opportunity for brands to expand their business and scale it globally without much of the hassle

When it comes to the education system, it will provide the choice for students to attend both online as well as offline education through the innovative ways of the metaverse. with this, teachers can join in a study session irrespective of the location. which makes it easy for both the student and teacher in terms of providing and learning with innovative 3D virtual designs, teaching becomes very interesting for the students, and this allows them deep dive and better understand the topic.

There are certainly more ways in which meta verse will evolve in terms of the daily lifestyle of human beings and also make it very easy to perform daily aspects.

How to prepare for living in a metaverse

As we become more and more digitized, it’s important to be prepared for living in a metaverse. Here are some tips:

1. Learn about the The first step is to learn about the technology that will power the metaverse. This includes learning about virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing.

2. Familiarize yourself with the There are a few different platforms that you can use to access the metaverse. These include Second Life, High Fidelity, and Sansar. Take some time to familiarize yourself with each one so that you can choose the right one for you.

3. Create an In order to fully participate in the metaverse, you’ll need to create an avatar. This is your digital representation of yourself in the virtual world. Spend some time creating an avatar that looks and feels like you.

4. Find your One of the best parts of the metaverse is the community aspect. There are many different groups and communities that you can join in order to find people with similar interests as you. Explore and find your tribe so that you can feel at home in the metaverse

Conclusion

The impact of the metaverse on society is still unfolding, but it has the potential to be profound. The metaverse offers a new way of interacting with the world, one that is more immersive and interactive than anything we’ve experienced before. It has the potential to change the way we learn, work, and play. And as more people join the metaverse, its impact will only grow.

#thecommunique #tcn #meta #metaverse #decentraland #blockchain #phygital #metatinment