AI has the creative world on edge right now -

By Keira Maloney

I’ll be honest, when AI first crept into my world as a photographer, I panicked. Not the “end of days” kind of panic, but the uneasy feeling of seeing an image appear in seconds that would’ve taken me hours of planning, shooting, and editing.

Then came the Super Bowl ads: cinematic, 4K, real-life looking commercials that used to cost millions suddenly being made with AI for a fraction of the price. If it could happen to them, what about me?

And I know I’m not alone. Many industries are wrestling with this right now. But here’s where I’ve landed: I trust my creativity and humanity. You should trust yours. Our ability to connect, read nuance, and inject personality into our work is the bit AI can’t take (...yet).

The danger isn’t AI “taking” the job. It’s businesses refusing to adapt while competitors lean in.

Why hair and beauty need to pay attention right now

I photograph specifically in the hair and beauty world, and I hear the same reassurance at your expos and conferences: “Don’t worry, human touch can’t be replaced.” And yes, that’s true. For now, no robot will ever replace a basin head massage, the confidence of a therapist’s advice, or the banter in the chair that makes you feel like family.

But running your salon with analogue systems, wasted product, missed calls, and clunky bookings? That’s where the risk lies. Not adopting AI in the business side of your salon or clinic is what will leave people behind.

What’s already happening?

It’s no longer just hype, it’s reality, and close to being normality: AI is already weaving its way into salons and beauty businesses across the globe.

AI receptionists will make salons money while they sleep

Soon, owners won’t be tied to phones or scrambling to return calls between clients.

AI bots and virtual receptionists will handle it all, answering questions instantly, booking appointments, even upselling products. It’ll feel like talking to a real person, even at 3am.

Instead of losing leads after hours, salons will be “open” 24/7 without anyone working. For solo operators, that could mean dozens of extra bookings a month. For multi-location salons, it could be the equivalent of adding another stylist worth of revenue without hiring. This isn’t a maybe, it’s already starting, and within a year or two I believe it will be standard.

AI will slash colour/product waste and boost profit

The colour bowl is one of the most expensive places salons lose money. Systems like Vish are already showing what’s possible, with enormous savings and less waste.

The future is precision colour mixing as the norm. Every gram tracked, every formula recorded, guesswork removed. Salons adopting this tech will reinvest their savings into staff training, marketing, or equipment. Those who don’t will keep washing money down the drain – literally. In just a few years, waste-heavy salons won’t just look unsustainable, they’ll look outdated.

Radical change services will surge with very realistic AI try-ons

Clients will soon expect to preview hair colour or makeup digitally before stepping into your space. I tried it myself, uploading a selfie and a Pinterest inspo pic into AI to see the same copper tones on me, as if it was a real photo... I sent the result to my hairdresser the night before my appointment, and it was done 12 hours later. AI-powered consultations will cut down costly re-dos, help salons close bigger bookings/ transformations, and give clients the confidence that they’ll get exactly what they want.

AI opens the door for growth

The real power of AI isn’t just cost savings or efficiency. It’s the mental load it removes from business owners. When bookings, reminders, or even colour measurements are handled for you, you finally have the headspace to move out of survival mode.

Instead of pouring all your energy into keeping the wheels turning, you can ask bigger questions: How do I expand? What new services could I add? Who could I collaborate with? AI doesn’t just give you time back, it gives you the brain space to reinvent and grow.

The reality check

The divide won’t be “AI versus humans.” It’ll be AI-powered salons and clinics versus those stuck doing everything the old way.

And the pace is fast. Five years ago, I’d have laughed at the idea of a bot creating images, commercials, and pulling insane amounts of data and research in seconds. Now, it’s just normal. Photographers who ignored digital were wiped out 9 out of 10 times. Those ignoring AIpowered business (and creative) strategies in the photography world are already falling behind.

Don’t let the same happen in hair and beauty. If you don’t have the energy to stay across the tech, fine. But at least partner with brands and suppliers who do. Because in the next twelve months, not having AI stitched into your business won’t just be inconvenient – it’ll make keeping up harder and harder.

Yours truly,

The oddly specific and very niche combination of hair/beauty photographer and AI fangirl, Keira x