United Nations Office for Partnerships and Fashinnovation convene leaders in New York to advance AI-driven sustainable fashion
The United Nations Office for Partnerships, in collaboration with Fashinnovation, will host an event focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in fashion and lifestyle. Titled “Fashioning the Future: AI Design for People and Planet,” the program will take place Thursday at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Fashinnovation is a member of the U.N. Fashion and Lifestyle Network. The event will bring together leaders from fashion, lifestyle and technology, along with member states and U.N. representatives. The goal is to examine current trends, key challenges and practical opportunities where creativity and technology meet industry transformation.
Discussions will look closely at how artificial intelligence is reshaping fashion and lifestyle value chains. From design and sourcing to production and retail, AI tools are increasingly being used to forecast demand, reduce waste, improve material selection and support circular business models. Organizers say these developments can also contribute to progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The fashion and lifestyle industries operate at a critical intersection of creativity, technology and global impact,” said Annemarie Hou, executive director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships. “By convening leaders across sectors, this dialogue will explore how artificial intelligence can help accelerate more sustainable, inclusive and resilient value chains in alignment with the SDGs.”
Marcelo Guimaraes, founder of Fashioninnovation, said the conversation must now move beyond testing new tools.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept for fashion, it is a present responsibility. The key question now is how the industry moves beyond experimentation toward responsible, scalable adoption that delivers positive impact for people, planet and business,” he said.
The program will include keynote talks, panel discussions and showcases of AI-driven solutions. A networking reception is also planned, aimed at encouraging exchange among senior decision-makers.
As fashion companies face pressure to lower emissions, reduce overproduction and increase transparency, interest in AI is growing. Events such as this one reflect a broader effort within the U.N. system and the private sector to align digital tools with sustainability goals, while keeping social and environmental impact in focus.
