Artificial Intelligence and the Salon

Post #1: AI is seriously rocking our world. Stay tuned for more soon.

Note: Much of this post was written in a few seconds by the Open AI GBT chatbot (#nothuman); while the art below was created in under 5 seconds by Open AI’s Dall-E (also #nothuman) platform following my request simply for a “1960s style robot cutting a human woman's hair in a salon.”

If you prefer to listen to the article (with some added commentary), click on the following audio file. Otherwise, please read on! 🤓

Artificial Intelligence is going to have an impact on most of our lives (already has!) - as well as our careers. I’ll offer some predictions on what this means for salons and the larger industry, following my brief AI chat.

The following is in response to my question to the chatbot ‘What is AI?’.

“Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a type of computer technology that is designed to mimic human intelligence. This means that AI is able to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions.

There are many different types of AI, including:

1. Rule-based AI: This type of AI follows a set of predetermined rules to complete tasks. For example, a robot might be programmed to follow a set of instructions to pick up and move objects.

2. Machine learning AI: This type of AI uses algorithms and statistical models to learn from data and improve its performance over time. For example, a machine learning AI might be trained to recognize patterns in images, and then use that knowledge to identify objects in new images.

3. Deep learning AI: This type of AI is a type of machine learning that uses neural networks to process data. Neural networks are inspired by the way that the human brain works, and they can learn to recognize patterns and make decisions on their own.

AI has many different applications, from self-driving cars to medical diagnosis to language translation. It is an exciting and rapidly developing field, and it has the potential to transform many different aspects of our lives.” - Open AI GBT 🤖.

NOTE FROM GORDON: AI IS FOUNDATIONAL TO TIKTOK’S PERFORMANCE FOR USERS

Implications for the salon: Watch for AI-driven consumer app(s) that will offer high-quality (i.e. super fast, easy to use, and ‘mind-blowing’) effective consultations on questions related to cut, color, style, and more (using a combination of AI-generated imagery, voice communications for a potential client with the App, and perhaps some text.

And how about related product recommendations for the look(s) you chose -likely followed by links to either buy or hold in the cart until post-salon service.

The AI could also help recommend ‘hairdressers near you’ who are best rated at doing the kind of look a client is considering.; and then connect a client to book with the option of sending their AI-generated ‘before and after’ looks.

Another way of saying what I believe is coming: many clients will book or walk in with a consultative app-generated picture of themselves(before and recommended after).

My best guess is 3 years before it’s here. Scaling becomes the question. If there is an ‘elegant’ performing app with fast and easy interfaces (backed by the right brand(s) to maximize consumer awareness), adoptions by consumers could be ‘fast and furious!

For a deeper dive into AI, here is a link to a fascinating conversation with a leader in the AI space that really caught my attention:

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman | AI for the Next Era

An added note: This post is the start of what is designed to be an ever-evolving platform for my forecasts, predictions, musings …and podcasts.

Never hesitate to drop me (much appreciated positive or negative) feedback at gordon@socialbeautymakers.com

Wishing you a most brilliant week!

gordon