Is Generative AI Fast Fashion? A Mindset for Riding the Business Wave | 2025 Edition

Hello!
I am a "person who thinks while moving" at D2C ID.

“The recent evolution of generative AI is so fast that I can't keep up...!”

I'm sure many of you feel that way, right?

It's just like the world of fashion, where trends change completely every season.

In particular, "fast fashion" brought us the latest trends one after another at affordable prices.
Don't you think the dizzying pace of that time and the current situation surrounding generative AI feel remarkably similar?

Just as trendy clothes change the landscape of a city, the trend of generative AI is about to fundamentally change how we work and how business is conducted.

Today, I would like to think together with you about this phenomenon, which could be called the "fast fashionization of generative AI," and discuss how to enjoy and ride this big wave,

incorporating the perspective of a "person who thinks while moving" with a background in the apparel industry.

Unstoppable Evolution! The "Similarities" Between Generative AI and Fast Fashion

First, let's take another look at why generative AI and fast fashion are so similar.

You might find yourself saying, "That's true!"

• A Raging Rush of New Releases! Ultra-High-Speed Trend Cycles
  In fast fashion stores, new clothes appear almost every week, and on social media, the next trend becomes a hot topic in no time. Generative AI is the same; new models and technologies appear in a matter of months, or even shorter periods.

• Try and Switch One After Another? Mass Development and Mass Trial
  The appeal of fast fashion is that you can try out trends at an affordable price. Similarly, there are many generative AI tools that can be tried easily with free plans or low prices, and while we end up trying new tools, sometimes we end up just "trying them out" and nothing more.

• Anyone Can Ride the Trend! Lower Prices and Accessibility
  Just like fast fashion, generative AI has become easier for business people and creators, not just experts, to use. This is proof that technology is being democratized, and it is a wonderful trend.

• Is This Similar to That Too? Imitation and Homogenization
  As many generative AI models based on excellent technology are born and compete for performance, there is a possibility that homogenization is progressing.

• Is the Expiration Date Instant? The Speed of Obsolescence
  In the world of generative AI, technological progress is so fast that technology that was cutting-edge six months ago is now sometimes taken for granted. Because the situation changes rapidly, the ability to respond flexibly is important.

But it's not just about trends. The value of "individuality" and "warmth"

But everyone, please try to remember the world of fashion.
Wide pants become a huge trend, and then slim silhouettes get attention.

Formal wear becomes popular, and then relaxed casual wear becomes the trend.
Trends swing back and forth like a pendulum, don't they?

And recently, don't you feel that instead of everyone chasing the same trend, "diversification" is progressing where each person enjoys their own style and comfortable style?

I hope that similar movements will emerge in the world of generative AI.

Right now, the competition of "how efficiently can we do it" and "how high is the performance" is very active.

But as a reaction to that, I think a time will come when values likehuman-like activities, for example,creativityborn from free thinking, orempathythat understands the other person's feelings, andthe warmth of handmade workwill be re-evaluated.

Instead of everyone using AI in the same way, according to each business challenge and individual thought, more and morediverse ways of engaging with AIshould emerge.

Not just uniform trends, but pursuing uniqueness like haute couture, or the perspective of using things carefully for a long time like vintage clothing. I believe that such diverse values will bloom in the world of AI utilization.

A future where AI is by your side.
That is why the "power of people" shines

When generative AI permeates society more and more and supports our work and lives, what will we come to value?

Since AI helps with simple tasks and information organization, we will be able to devote more time and passion to "things only humans can do."

When you think about it,
doesn't it make you feel excited?

For example, rather than a report based on perfect data created by AI,a project proposal that feels the passionate thoughts and story put into it, even if it is a bit clumsy,might move people's hearts more.

Or, although there are inquiries that can be handled by automatic responses,
the value of being able to be handled carefully by a person's warm voice when in troublemight
actually increase.
Efficiency through AI is wonderful, but it's not everything.

Human sensibility, creativity, communication, and experiences with a tactile feel.

The value of such things might be a chance to shine even more from now on.

Like surfing the waves of change! Let's enjoy riding them

Now, how should we deal with these dizzying changes in generative AI?

Some of you might feel, "I'm not good at following trends" or "AI seems a bit difficult..."

Choosing a direction different from AI, for example, pursuing the warmth of human hands or the care of taking time, is also a very wonderful choice.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that the wave of new technology has the power to definitely change the environment around us.

Just as fashion changed the landscape of the city, generative AI will have a major impact on the future business environment, for better or worse.

And no business can be unrelated to the changes of the times.
Why not perceive this change like the "waves" crashing on the beautiful sea of Okinawa?

Surfers read the movement of the waves, choose a board that suits them, and while keeping their balance,
ride the waves brilliantly. Sometimes they challenge big waves, and sometimes they enjoy relaxing on gentle waves.

I think it would be wonderful if we business people could face the big wave called generative AI in that way.

• Reading the waves: Keep your antenna up for what technology is attracting attention now and how it might affect your business.

• Choosing a board: From the many AI tools available, choose the ones that suit your goals and challenges, and try them out.

• Finding the balance: The parts that can be streamlined by AI and the parts that humans should handle with care. We must find our own balance between these.

• Looking toward the next wave: What changes await beyond the current trends? Let's try to imagine the near future.

Instead of just being swept away by generative AI trends, we should discern their essence and combine them with our own strengths and passions.

At times, it is important to intentionally step back and return to human-centric values.

Perhaps it will become important for us in the future to ride these waves with such a proactive and flexible stance.

I, too, want to ride this exciting wave of change while enjoying it and, at times, struggling with it (laughs).

In this era of rapid change, how would you ride the wave of AI?

I also write a blog. Please take a look at that as well.