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Digital perfection:How AI is shaping modern beautystandards

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About us

Welcome to our Website about AI’s impact on beauty standards, we are a team consisting of three Students from the WOS-School located in Germany. Our Team leader is Vera Rauschenbach. The other two Students are Fynn Pietras and Finn Wienberg. Our Goal is to educate Society on the Impact AI has on our Life and specifically on the way we view ourselves and our Surroundings.

Speakers

Meet the Speakers

Topics

What You Will Learn

1

Terminology

2

​What impact do beauty standards have and on who?

3

Opinions about the impact on beauty standards

4

Influence of AI generated Images on relationships regarding beauty standards

5

Dangerous Tiktok filters

6

AI in the cosmetic industry

7

Challenges of Using AI in the Cosmetics Industry

​1.1 What is artificial Intelligence? ~Vera R.

Artificial Intelligence describes computer systems that are able to perform tasks, that normally require a Human. There are different tools like speech recognition, use of machinery and so many more. In this Project we will be focusing on one skill, in specific, image creation. To create an Image, the machine scans millions of images alongside the context associated with them. The algorithm then spots the similarities and starts to guess what image and text fit together.

​1.2 What are beauty standards? ~Vera R. Beauty standards describe how many people view one person as attractive or beautiful. The beauty standard gets defined by the general public and is different for various different cultures. An individual Person gets rated based on their traits and how many of them fit the standard. This Standard also changes throughout time. Likewise, the Ideal Woman in the Renaissance (1400-1700) had a rounded Stomach, pale skin and light hair. Although later on, during the golden Age of Hollywood (1930-1950) Women were only considered desirable if their Bodies were shaped like an hourglass, with large breasts, a small waist and big hips. In the Postmodern Beauty era (2000), Women were supposed to be skinny in order to be attractive, but still, they should have a great butt as well as breasts. Lastly, Women's beauty standards get criticised a lot for being very childlike currently, it’s only a topic in public debates with no actual scientific proof. This was entirely different for Men, as in the Renaissance (1400-1700) Leonardo da Vinci set up their Ideal Body with his Work of the Vitruvian Man. This painting pictured Da Vinci’s perception of the male Boy combined with the current scientific proportions. Another aspect was for males to not be afraid of showing off, it was considered attractive to dress your income. Throughout the 19th Century so-called “Fat Mens Club” s became very popular, only males above a certain amount of weight were allowed to enter these Clubs. Body fat on Men started to symbolize wealth, and this became the ideal for around 20 years. Later, in the 1960s, bodybuilding was popularized with the image of a chiseled face, broad shoulders, as well as a small waist. The postmodern Era (2000) introduced the “soft masculinity” characterized by little muscle, mass and clear skin. On the other Hand, muscles are still popular and aspired.

2. What impact do beauty standards have and on who?    ~Vera R.                                   A Study made by the journal of Health psychology in 2016 reveals that boys express lower concern about their appearance than girls, while they do admit to insecurity when trying to impress others, they do not believe social media to be a big factor in their body image but more so peer pressure and social situations. Masculinity seems to be very important to them. Moreover, according to a study in Germany, 73% of the participants believe not every Body type is accepted in Society. 25% feel pressured by these standards, this makes every 4th Person questioned. More than double the amount of males (15%) were females (34%) that explained feeling pressured by the existing standards. This Study indicates that Women feel a lot more pressure under these standards than Men do. Another Study displays the different amounts of the eating disorder OSFED in the different Genders. Other specific feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) represents 39.5% of cases among Men and 44.2% of cases among females in the US (2018-19)

​3.1 Professionals opinion ~Vera R.            Dr. Steven Williams is a Board-Certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon as well as President of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in an interview he states: “AI can make smart filters and images not based in reality like looking like their avatar or not wanting to age at all. AI can be used to create advertisements and algorithms to promote these images. This is getting a lot of attention in the medical community. I would say that a lot of people are trying to make safeguards to protect and inform patients on realistic expectations. As AI gets smarter, it could get around the safeguards we set up. But it isn’t all doom and gloom.” When asked about the expectations of Doctors, Dr. Williams answers: “Sometimes patients are frustrated when we point out the limitations, but most understand that safety must come first and that not everything they see online is real. In the future, I think we will see an increase in unrealistic expectations of eternal beauty, perfect form and figures on social media that becomes a part of our society’s fabric.” Dr. Jennifer Levine is a double- Board-Certified facial plastic surgeon, in the same interview she admits:“We’re being exposed to highly altered images and people are beginning to view these as beauty standards. I think that in the future, more people will be calling out these images and hopefully not allowing them to be used.”

​3.2 Society's Opinion ~Vera R.                Prior to AI, professional photographers were the elite and only people with the ability of altering portraits as a form of art. Nonetheless, the golden age of Artificial Intelligence rolled around and these days it’s exceptionally easy to edit photos with the help of AI. It merely takes pushing 1 button in order to completely change everything from the lighting to the smallest details of one’s hair. A Study from 2022 shows a survey of how people feel about an AI created portrait, the Participants got two pairs of photos shown to them, one being the original and the other the AI perfected Image. The result of this study showed the participant’s first impression of the model’s heavily dependent on, how they felt about the models beauty, most of them liked the idealised version more and would even prefer seeing it on their social media. On the other hand, they still feel negative towards photo editing.

3.3 Artificial Intelligence and it’s “Opinion”                                        ~Vera R.

Another Study showed the way Artificial Intelligence views facial beauty is significantly different to the established beauty ideals. This means AI incorporates other factors of beauty beyond the usual beauty standards, possibly cultural differences or new trends. The study referred to the symmetrical aspect of beauty such as, the golden ratios and neoclassical canons. To achieve these Results the Study used three different AI text-to-image Programs to create four different pictures of females as well as four of males, the gender did not affect the result as both were equal p < 0,05 difference to the established social beauty standard. The programs used are Imagine Art, Dezgo and Freepik.

4.1 General impact of Porn consumption on relationships. ~Vera R.

In order to find out how AI generated sexual- Imagery influences a Relationship, we have to firstly, find out how real Pornography influences a Relationship. Pornography is generally geared towards a male audience, which could be the reason Men consume Pornography a lot more than Women do. Moreover, Females tend to perceive Pornography more negatively, while Men see it as rather positive of an impact on their sex life. This brings up an obvious issue in the relationship. During this Study participants viewed Pornography as creating unrealistic Standards and expectations for incidence, endurance and unrealistic scenarios but especially unrealistic Body images, such as enlarged breasts or penis size. The consumer would (subconsciously) compare their partner and be disappointed or unsatisfied. Due to this issue, most Participants found Pornographic Consumption to be unethical in a Relationship. Participants even mentioned it could be possible to prefer Pornography over their Partner after long term usage.

4.2 Digital Shadows: AI Misuse, Deepfakes and the Fight Against Child Exploitation ~Finn W.

The misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology poses significant threats to online safety, personal privacy and societal trust. One of the most alarming developments is the increasing use of AI to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Advanced AI tools create hyper-realistic videos and images, often incorporating real children’s faces, exacerbating trauma for victims. The rapid speed of production and dissemination overwhelms existing mechanisms to combat CSAM, perpetuating exploitation and emotional harm. Survivors face ongoing fear and anxiety over the misuse of their likeness. Accessible AI tools allow individuals with minimal technical expertise to generate and distribute abusive content, exposing severe shortcomings in current legal frameworks, which often fail to explicitly criminalise such materials. One dark web forum reported over 20,000 AI-generated CSAM files in just one month, highlighting the scale and speed of this growing threat. Beyond direct harm, these developments erode trust in digital content and demonstrate AI’s weaponisation in deeply harmful ways. Deepfake technology also contributes to non-consensual pornography and cyberbullying, targeting women, minors and public figures. Perpetrators humiliate victims by superimposing their faces onto explicit materials, even infiltrating schools, where bullies exploit AI tools to demean classmates. This underscores how accessible these tools have become, enabling widespread abuse. The broader implications threaten societal norms and digital trust, undermining confidence in media and online interactions. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach. Legal frameworks must explicitly criminalise AI-generated CSAM and non-consensual pornography, while investments in advanced detection technologies are crucial. Global cooperation is needed to remove harmful materials from platforms. Public awareness campaigns can educate individuals about these threats, equipping them to protect themselves. Regulatory measures and robust support systems for victims are essential to safeguarding against evolving dangers. By combining legal, technological and educational measures, society can mitigate the harm caused by AI and deepfake misuse

4.3 The Impact of Deepfakes in our every day Life ~Finn W.

 Deepfake cyberbullying is an increasingly prevalent issue in educational environments, posing significant challenges for victims and perpetrators. Misuse of AI technologies produces hyper-realistic fabricated videos or images with harmful intent. Incidents in countries like Australia and the U.S. illustrate students’ growing use of deepfake tools to target peers and educators. These cases often involve explicit or sexualised content, causing emotional distress such as anxiety, depression and helplessness. The realistic quality of deepfakes exacerbates their impact, making it difficult for victims to disprove authenticity. Social isolation and reputational damage compound the psychological burden. Perpetrators face serious consequences, including criminal charges in severe cases. Schools and communities are adopting preventive strategies like education on digital ethics and stricter policies. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible, the potential for misuse escalates, necessitating heightened awareness and comprehensive intervention. Safeguarding students and educators requires a coordinated effort, including legal and educational initiatives to address this complex issue.

4.4 Blurred Realities: Deepfakes and the Modern Workplace ~Finn W.

 Deepfake bullying in the workplace has emerged as a pressing issue, impacting employee morale, professional reputations and workplace relationships. Harassment leveraging AI produces manipulated content intended to discredit individuals, spread false information, or humiliate colleagues. Consequences include diminished credibility, strained relationships, reduced morale and in severe cases, job termination. Victims report heightened stress, anxiety and decreased job satisfaction, fostering an environment of fear and vulnerability. Addressing this issue requires robust legal frameworks against defamation and harassment and a focus on education. Organisations should implement policies to address incidents, provide resources for affected individuals and promote digital ethics and awareness programs. Cultivating a respectful workplace culture centred on accountability and digital literacy is essential to counteract the misuse of deepfake technology. Proactive measures combining legal protections, education and organisational policies can create safer professional environments.

4.5 The Weaponisation of AI: Deepfakes and the Harassment of Women ~Finn W.  The proliferation of deepfake technology has introduced challenges concerning beauty standards and gender-based violence, significantly impacting women. Research highlights how deepfakes amplify online harassment and abuse, particularly through image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and non-consensual pornography. Hyper-realistic media, often created without consent, is used to humiliate, intimidate, or suppress victims. These applications reinforce existing gendered power imbalances, disproportionately affecting women and perpetuating systemic inequality. Victims face psychological, social and economic consequences, including reputational harm, anxiety and withdrawal from digital and social spaces. This isolation suppresses public discourse participation, reinforcing systemic gender inequalities. Addressing these harms requires strengthened legal frameworks, public education initiatives on digital literacy and expanded research into the interplay between deepfakes, gender-based violence and societal beauty standards. By focusing on equity and respect, society can confront the broader ethical and social challenges posed by emerging technologies.

4.6 The Digital Predator: The Dark Story of smartschoolboy9 ~Finn W.                      In “smartschoolboy9: An Internet Rabbit Hole,” Nick Crowley investigates the perplexing online persona of “smartschoolboy9.” Through videos, posts and comments, Crowley uncovers unsettling themes, raising questions about intentions and accountability. The evolution of “smartschoolboy9”’s behaviour highlights issues related to internet culture and mental health, particularly anonymity’s impact on personal accountability. Crowley explores the normalisation of disturbing content and the responsibility of creators and consumers in shaping online discourse. The case underscores the importance of understanding and addressing such behaviours, emphasising critical thinking as consumers of digital content. Crowley’s analysis serves as a case study in internet dynamics, urging platforms to regulate harmful content and fostering awareness of the broader implications of disturbing online behaviour.

4.7 Impression of AI generated Porn and Deepfakes on our self-image? ~Vera R.    AI opens the possibility of creating your Dream Partner regardless of, what they should look like, if they should have long hair? Short hair? A slim waist or rather lots of muscles? AI makes it possible. You can create any type of Person based on your personal wishes/preferences. Rather you want it very realistic or cartoon like, it’s possible. These AI Porno Websites work like any other AI Image generator, you tell them what you wish for and it designs exactly that. AI is also well-trained to design based on pre-existing Standards and Ideas for incidence, what an attractive Body should look like (If you wish to know how this is possible, scroll upwards to the section “What is artificial Intelligence?”). This is a strong contrast to its impact, which is normalisation, In Porn you find lots of concerning Fantasies like sexual Violence and unrealistic scenarios like, Teacher-Student romances. This means AI is a homogenising tool. This being said, it’s not new in the phonographic industry, but it makes a huge difference, since now its easier to produce way more gory content, that beforehand, called for expensive actors or (in most cases) nonconsensual acts. Having said this, it’s just an extension of already existing cultural norms, the same way it is for Beauty ideals. Normalising these Ideals pushes our society even more into this kind of culture, where overweight individuals are considered undesirable else ways large age gaps preferable and so on. It doesn't matter if the Imagery is perceived as realistic or knowingly AI generated for these negative effects to work. In regard to beauty standards this means, AI generated (pornographic) Imagery is based on existing Standards and will continue to spread these norms and ideas.

5) Dangerous Tiktok filters ~Fynn P.      TikTok is very popular among young people in Germany. According to statistics from 2023, Generation Z (ages 14–27) makes up about 53% of users, making them the largest group. Millennials (ages 28–42) make up around 27%, while older generations are less represented. Kids and teens in this generation are really easy to manipulate. The AI-based filter "Bold Glamour" has raised growing concerns about the self-image of children and teenagers, because the filter influences these kids and teens negative.The filter changes facial features, like making the nose thinner, smoothing the skin, and enhancing the lips. This creates unrealistic beauty standards wich can make young people feel unsafe and insecure with their bodys. tiktok already said that they'll do something against it. they plan to make sure only adults can use some sort of filters and are working on improving their age verification system to better protect younger users

6. AI in the cosmetic industry ~Fynn P.    AI is used in many ways in the cosmetic industries especially to improve personalized experiences and product development. One example is skin analysis and product personalization. Customers can upload selfies or personal data and the AI analyzes it to give personalized tips for their skincare and track improvements over time. This helps customers see their improvements over the time and reach their skincare goals more effectively. Another example is virtual try-ons and augmented reality. Brands like Dior or Channel use AR technology to let customers try different make-up variations virtually. This helps customers to choose which make-up they'll buy without trying it out everytime. It also adds a fun and interactive to shopping

7. Challenges of Using AI in the Cosmetics Industry ~Fynn P.                                  Using AI in the cosmetics industry has many benefits, but it also brings some challenges. One big concern is data privacy. AI often needs personal information like selfies or sensitive data, and this can lead to worries about how the data is used or if it could be stolen by hackers.Another problem is the lose of human connection. When product recommendations or customer services are automated, there isnt the personal touch. Some customers mabe not like this, especially if they want personal advice or a friendly conversation.There is also the issue of costs. Advanced AI technology can make beauty products more expensive, which means that not everyone will be able to afford them. This could make the gap between people with higher and lower incomes even bigger.Finally, there are moral concerns. AI might promote unrealistic beauty standards or convince people to buy things they don’t really need, which can be harmful.To make sure AI is used in a good way, these problems need to be solved. It’s important to keep AI fair and helpful for everyone

7.1 Long term effect of using AI in the cometic industry ~Fynn P.

The long term effects of using AI in the cosmetic industry are big and affect companies and customers. One major effect is that AI makes it faster and easier to bring new products to the market. Companies can also create products that are better suited to the needs of each customer. The traditional testing methods wouldn't be needed anymore because AI can simulate everything in advance. Another advantage is that AI can ensure that products produce less waste and make processes more efficient. Customer expectations are also changing. With AI, people are getting used to personalized products, and this might become the new standard. Customers may also expect companies to be more transparent and share way more information about their products or just about how they’re working. However, there are also challenges. AI might replace some jobs in the cosmetic industry. At the same time, new jobs will be created, like programming or managing AI tools. In the long term, AI could improve people’s skin health by identifying and solving problems like acne or dryness early. But relying too much on AI might make people less confident in their own decisions. Overall, AI will change the cosmetics industry a lot.

Sources

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2)Hargreaves, A. Duane & Tiggemann, Marika (2016): “Body Image Is for Girls” Available at: JHP URL: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document? repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=cfd06506279914ce5c48bce762ae5311215cf627 [Accessed 10.October 2024] Siebenhaar, Anna (2023): “Jeder Vierte fühlt sich durch Schönheitsideale unter Druck gesetzt” Available at: MDRFRAGT URL: (https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/gesellschaft/mdrfragt-umfrage-ergebnisbody-positivity-fitness-gesundheit-102.html# [Accessed 10.October 2024] Bunnel, Douglas (2023): “National Eating Disorders Association Statistics” Available at: NEDA URL: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/# [Accessed 10.October 2024]

3) Harris, Meggen (2024): “Medical Experts Share Impact Of AI On Beauty Standards” Available at: Forbes URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/meggenharris/2024/03/27/medical-experts-share-impact-of-ai-on-beautystandards/ [Accessed 28.October 2024] Horváth, Evelin (2022): “Camouflage - Exploring the AI-Generated Beauty Ideal” Available at: DergiPark Akademik URL: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/usuifade/issue/73060/1175909 [Accessed 28.October 2024] Bernal, Isabel C. / Andre, John / Patel, Munir / Newman, Martin I. (2024): “Beauty Re-defined: A Comparative Analysis of Artificial Intelligence-Generated Ideals and Traditional Standards” Available at: Cureus URL: https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/original_article/pdf/ 248904/20241007-578844-phpok1.pdf [Accessed 28.October.2024]

7) Team AI Superior (2024): "Die besten KI-Unternehmen in der Kosmetikindustrie." Available at: www.aisuperior.com (Accessed 22.October 2024) TeamContents (2024): "Die Zukunft der Schönheit: Wie KI die Produktentwicklung in der Kosmetik revolutioniert." Available at: www.contents.com (Accessed 22.October 2024) Team Curious Minds (2019): "Künstliche Intelligenz in der Beauty- und Kosmetikindustrie." Available at: www.curiousminds.de (Accessed 23. October 2024)  Lynam, Rowan(2024):”Artificial Intelligence in Aesthetics: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” Available at: www.newbeauty.com(Accessed 23.October 2024) Villena, Kayla(2024): “The Next 5 Years in Beauty: AI, Hero Ingredients, Pricing & More” Available at: www.gcimagazine.com (Accessed 23.October 2024)

4) Torrilla, Leanne (2023): “The perceived impact of pornography consumption on heterosexual monogamous couple relationships” Available at: L-Università ta’ Malta URL: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/ 123456789/123485 [Accessed 01. November 2024] IWF Team (2024): “2024 Update: Understanding the Rapid Evolution of AI-Generated Child Abuse Imagery.” Available at: https://www.iwf.org.uk/about-us/why-we-exist/our-research/how-ai-is-being-abusedto-create-child-sexual-abuse-imagery/ [Accessed 6 October 2024]. IWF Team (2024): “AI-generated videos of child sexual abuse a ‘stark vision of the future’.” Available at: https://www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/news/ai-generated-videos-of-child-sexual-abuse-a-stark-vision-of-thefuture/ [Accessed 6 October 2024] Smoothwall Team (2024): “Emerging Challenges in Digital Safeguarding: Deepfake Cyberbullying.” Available at: https://smoothwall.com/resources/emerging-challenges-deepfake-cyberbullying [Accessed 13 October 2024]. Winnard, Nigel (2024): “The Rise of Deepfakes in Schools.” Available at: https:// www.tieonline.com/article/3632/the-rise-of-deepfakes-in-schools [Accessed 13 October 2024]. Dolly’s Dream Team(2024): “THE USE OF DEEPFAKES TO BULLY: What you need to know.” Available at: https://www.dollysdream.org.au/blog/the-use-of-deepfakes-to-bully--what-you-need-to-know [Accessed 19 October 2024].Laffier, Jennifer and Rehman, Aalyia (2023): “Deepfakes and Harm to Women.” Journal of Digital Life and Learning, 3, 1-21. Available at: https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ontariotechu/index.php/dll/article/view/218 [Accessed 26 October 2024]. Crowley, Nick (2024): “smartschoolboy9: An Internet Rabbit Hole.” Available at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=V0folj9X9nQ [Accessed 25 November 2024]. Ditter, Roger (2024): “How does AI porn affect our self-image?” Available at: DW URL: https:// www.dw.com/en/how-does-ai-porn-affect-our-self-image/video-70409086 [Accessed 01. November 2024]

5) :Ozdoba,Laura (2024): “Darum sperrt Tiktok Schönheitsfilter.” Available at:www.zdf.de Schiffer, Christian (2024): “Warum Tiktok Schönheitsfilter für Minderjährige sperrt.” Available at:www.br24.de (Accessed 10. October 2024)

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