From the perfumes and deodorants we wear to public spaces, fragrance is one of the last areas where artificial intelligence will revolutionize our lives.
But big data and ultra-fast computers are now used to identify new fragrance trends and prepare products faster than ever before.
At the other end of the artificial intelligence scent revolution, technology is being developed that could one day smell disease in its early stages, helping us stay healthier and live longer.
Artificial intelligence technologies can affect everything from the scents we wear to the way diseases are diagnosed. How Does?
Finding problems by smell
A tech startup called Aryballe is analyzing how odors can affect us and what they can tell us about our health.
But detecting odors is also difficult: Although light or sound has a specific wavelength, there is no easy way to measure and quantify odors.
The French company instead uses bits of protein mounted on silicon chips to detect molecules.
Sam Guilaumé, CEO of the company, said, “I can smell a scent. [bilimsel olarak] You need artificial intelligence because you can’t describe it. All you can do is teach the machine, ‘This is cheese, this is strawberry, this is raspberry,'” he says.
Technology can also play an important role in monitoring the spaces we spend time in. Especially with the pandemic, the crowded places we are in during the day to provide a pleasant environment.
Odor detection may also have a more domestic role. It has been known for many years that some diseases can be detected by smell. Last year at Helsinki Airport, a trial with dogs was conducted to identify cases of Covid among passengers.
Artificial intelligence could also pave the way for some products that monitor our health on a daily basis to track the early signs of any disease.
Guilaumé explains, “Maybe when I brush my teeth, there’s an olfactory sensor in my toothbrush. The sensor will analyze my health.”
The sensor may say, “This is a sign of diabetes, this is a sign of cancer.”
Early diagnosis of the disease can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment.
Guilaumé believes smart AI technologies like the toothbrush that can diagnose disease are on the horizon.
the science of smell
Artificial intelligence is also being used to develop new scents.
Expressing that she has been addicted to perfumes since she was 4 years old, Mariya Nurislamova says, “Unfortunately, it’s too early to be addicted. I used to steal my mother’s scents. She knew that every time.”
This early love of perfume led Nurislamova to become one of the founders of the Scentbird initiative. The company sends its subscribers a different high-end fragrance every month.
Nurislamova continues:
“But technology is also my second passion.”
When the company decided to launch its own unisex fragrances, it used artificial intelligence to analyze the comments left by its 300,000 subscribers.
The problem they had to solve, according to Nurislamova, was that most fragrances in this category were liked by one gender and simply tolerated by the other.
But their research has identified 12 scent notes that are equally loved by all genders. These notes were used to develop the “Confessions of a Rebel” line, which is among the best selling fragrances.
Describing this as a “victory”, Nurislamova says:
“Because ‘Confessions of a Rebel’ isn’t a well-known brand like Gucci or Versace, but it’s been a huge success. I attribute that success to the data we got to create it.”
The Scentbird company continues to use its research to develop more fragrances. As a matter of fact, two new series were added this year.
But that’s not the only business using artificial intelligence to change the way we smell.
emotional impact
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF, International Flavors and Fragrances) also uses artificial intelligence to develop perfumes. But their research on how odors affect us is deeper.
You still won’t see the name of this multinational company in stores. That’s because IFF works behind the scenes to develop fragrances with big names like Armani, Calvin Klein and Givenchy.
IFF has expertise in perfume production for over a century. However, artificial intelligence helps the production process by using 60 to 80 different components in 2,000 different scents.
“Artificial intelligence is a tool. It’s like Google Maps. It helps the perfumer navigate through the mess. So the perfumer can focus on his craft, that is, really creating and feeling,” says Valery Claude, Head of Global Innovation in the company’s fragrance division.
IFF has a wide working area ranging from laundry detergents, softeners, shampoos to more everyday fragrances.
People’s wishes have also changed with the pandemic. Claude explains it this way:
“It’s no longer just ‘Clean and lively’. People want more protection and more care. They want to feel more comfortable and to be cared for.”
The impact of scents on people’s moods and perceptions is an area of intense focus for the company.
The company’s ‘Science of Wellness’ program aims to use artificial intelligence technology to create scents that can awaken happiness, relaxation, awareness and self-esteem.
Some of the IFF studies are also investigating whether it is possible to help people with neurological disorders.
Stating that this is done “in terms of improving quality of life,” Valery says, “If you think of Alzheimer’s, we know that impulses like smell, like visuals, can play a positive role.”
“Of course not for treatment, but for stimulating the brain to slow the effect.”