Symrise and IBM partner to create perfumes using AI

Germany-based fragrances and flavourings manufacturer Symrise has partnered with IBM Research to create perfumes using artificial intelligence (AI).

The project will use IBM Research’s AI to analyse historical data and information about scent combinations to create fragrance formulas.

Symrise’s scent and care president Achim Daub said: “The art and science of designing a winning perfume has been something we at Symrise have been doing for more than 200 years.

“Now, our perfumers can work with an AI apprentice by their side, which can analyse thousands of formulas and historical data to identify patterns and predict novel combinations, helping to make them more productive, and accelerate the design process by guiding them toward formulas that have never been seen before.”

Two fragrances will be created under the collaboration for cosmetic company O Boticario. The products will be introduced to the Brazilian market in 2019.

O Boticario’s marketing director Alexandre Bouza said: “This effort brings together human expertise with machine intelligence to create novel, fine fragrances.

“Philyra’s understanding of consumer preferences and knowledge of formulas and ingredients led to new fragrance combinations, which allowed our perfumers to accelerate the creative design process and focus on perfecting the final products.

“Advances in AI are helping us introduce unique, new fragrances to our customers. We are very excited to be part of this collaboration with Symrise and IBM Research.”