Vogue World’s Milan edition concluded with a performance featuring humanoid robots from Chinese manufacturer Unitree, marking a notable moment in the event’s ongoing fusion of fashion and technology. The robots appeared during an act called The Age of Intelligence, moving to music and interacting with the audience without wearing any clothing.

Vogue World is an annual event blending runway shows, celebrity appearances, and brand promotions, held in different cities each year. This year’s Milan show was promoted as a tribute to Italian craftsmanship and the human element in an era dominated by technology, making the robot segment a surprising contrast.

The robot performance quickly overshadowed the fashion itself, drawing widespread attention and criticism. Some observers, including fashion insiders and tech professionals, expressed discomfort with the display, citing concerns about job displacement and the broader societal impact of rapid technological adoption. The robots have also been noted elsewhere for their imperfect movements and falls.

This integration of technology aligns with Vogue’s increasing engagement with Silicon Valley, underscored by the announcement that the next Vogue World will take place in San Francisco. The Milan event was partially sponsored by tech companies like Meta and OpenAI, highlighting the growing relationship between fashion media and the tech industry.

Industry voices suggest this partnership is financially motivated, with Vogue leveraging its cultural influence to attract tech investment, while tech firms seek greater cultural relevance. However, some critics find the approach to be forced or tone-deaf, especially amid ongoing economic and social challenges.

Experts in creative technology argue that the robot act does not reflect the most innovative intersections of fashion and technology. For example, artists like AA Murakami are pioneering "ephemeral technology" that blends art, engineering, and AI in more nuanced ways, such as creating garments that embody temporality and human expression.

The robot performance may have been intended to familiarize the public with the merging of fashion and technology, but it failed to resonate broadly. Observers hope that future Vogue World events, particularly the upcoming San Francisco edition, will showcase more sophisticated and meaningful technological innovations in fashion.