Antonia Verhoeven

As I strolled along the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam, Netherlands, the memories of my journey in the modeling world flashed through my mind. At 24, I've seen the highs and lows of this industry, each chapter shaping my perspective in unexpected ways.

A few years back, the world seemed like my runway. I was booking gigs left and right, earning enough to afford the luxuries I'd always dreamed of. But then, the pandemic hit, sending shockwaves through every facet of society, including the fashion world. Suddenly, photoshoots were canceled, runways were empty, and the economy took a nosedive.

As the dust settled, I found myself confronting a new threat to my career: generative AI. These algorithms were getting scarily good at replicating human models, and clients were starting to opt for digital alternatives over flesh-and-blood ones like me. The fear of being replaced by lines of code gnawed at me every time I stepped in front of the camera.

Now, I stand at a crossroads, uncertain of how much longer I can cling to this fading spotlight. If things continue on this downward trajectory, I know I'll have to make a tough decision. Perhaps it's time to bid adieu to the catwalks and photo shoots and dive into something entirely different.

Maybe it's time to go back to university. The thought of studying something related to AI intrigues me. After all, if these algorithms are going to be the future, I want to understand them inside and out. Who knows? Maybe I'll find my calling in shaping the very technology that threatened to upend my career.

As I gaze at the bustling streets of Amsterdam, I can't help but feel a spark of excitement at the prospect of a new beginning. Whether it's strutting down a runway or diving into the depths of artificial intelligence, one thing is for sure: I'm ready for whatever the future holds.