EPISODE 23 – PART 2

This week, we return with Cameron-James Wilson, AI specialist, visual artist and founder of agency The Diigitals, to explore how AI is reshaping fashion and the wider creative industries. Building on his experience creating Shudu, the world’s first digital supermodel, Cameron discusses the difference between 3D and AI, and what these technologies mean for models, brands and audiences. 

He reflects on the opportunities and risks AI brings from sustainability and representation to the future of e-commerce and digital twins while also addressing the ethical questions of ownership, authenticity and transparency. 

Cameron’s insights highlight both the challenges and the potential of this fast-changing landscape, offering a thought-provoking look at how AI is transforming creativity, collaboration and the future of fashion. 

Cameron-James Wilson on AI in the Creative Industries 

Interview by Tessa Dewing for The Business of Modelling Podcast 

In this second part of the conversation, Cameron-James Wilson delves into the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on fashion, creativity and beyond. Building on his experience creating the first digital supermodel, Shudu, and founding The Diigitals, he reflects on the ways technology is reshaping the industry from e-commerce and digital campaigns to sustainability, ownership and representation. While his work has opened new doors, it has also raised important questions about authenticity and the future role of human models. 

“AI Should Be a Collaborator, not a Replacement” 

For Cameron, AI is best understood as a tool that supports rather than replaces creativity. “AI can be the best assistant you’ve ever had if you train it well,” he says. “I see it as a collaborator that empowers my creativity rather than something that takes anything away.” He encourages creatives to approach AI with openness and curiosity, seeing it as a way to expand possibilities rather than a threat to existing skills. 

3D vs. AI 

Cameron draws a clear distinction between 3D digital models like Shudu and AI-generated imagery. “With 3D you have a fully realised character consistent, permanent, and yours to own. With AI, you don’t have that same level of control or copyright,” he explains. The permanence of 3D allows for intellectual property ownership, something not possible when working purely with AI tools. For him, the most exciting results come from combining the two, bringing together the consistency of 3D with the experimentation of AI. 

The Impact on Models 

As the industry experiments with new technology, Cameron is realistic about its implications for working models. “E-commerce will be hit hardest, I think in the next couple of years we’ll see it almost entirely shift to AI. It’s the models who rely most on those jobs that will feel the biggest impact.” 

Ethics and Transparency 

From the very beginning, he has insisted on being open about Shudu’s digital nature. “People need to know Shudu isn’t real, so they can appreciate her for what she is rather than compare themselves to her,” he says. “It’s about honesty, that’s what keeps this work ethical.” He acknowledges that not everyone in the industry will share the same standards, but stresses that clarity and openness are vital if AI models are to coexist responsibly with human talent. 

The Importance of Education 

One of Cameron’s strongest messages is the need for education. He believes every creative, whether they embrace or resist AI, must learn how these tools work. “Even if you’re critical of AI, you need to understand it. Otherwise you can’t be part of the conversation about how it develops. Education is everything.” For him, experimenting with AI is essential, even if only to understand its limitations, and he sees knowledge as the key to shaping technology in a way that benefits artists rather than undermines them. 

Looking Ahead 

From questions of representation and ownership to the potential for AI in healthcare and beyond, Cameron offers a candid and thought-provoking perspective on what lies ahead. While he acknowledges the risks, he is ultimately optimistic about a future where humans and AI collaborate to push creativity further than ever before. “For me, it’s always about pushing boundaries,” he reflects, hopeful that the next decade will bring not only new tools, but also new opportunities to use them responsibly.