Artificial intelligence is now widely used to write software codes, find legal arguments for lawyers, and even for medical drug discovery. But the list just does not stop here. AI is now being used to make shampoo, chocolates and toothpastes, to develop new products faster, improve recipes and respond to changing consumer demands.
L’Oréal Says AI Has Sped Up Beauty Innovation
According to Reuters, L’Oréal is using AI to significantly reduce the time it takes to develop new products. Reportedly, the company is now able to create products four times faster after using AI to identify molecules in its skincare portfolio that may be repurposed for haircare products.
One of the company’s recent innovations includes finding a new use for skincare ingredients in a collagen-based shampoo designed to make hair appear fuller and more voluminous.
The company has been using AI in its research labs for the past four years. Rather than relying only on traditional testing methods, the technology helps researchers predict how different molecules may interact with skin and hair before they start developing products.
“You can really go much faster by imagining … new associations of molecules and new benefits of molecules,” said Fabrice Megarbane, President of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products division, while speaking at the Consumer Goods Forum’s Global Summit in Vienna.
AI Is Also Changing How Food Products Are Made
Mondelez, which owns brands like Cadbury, Toblerone, Oreo and Chips Ahoy, is also using AI to rethink how recipes are developed. The company reportedly says AI can generate fresh recipe ideas, including concepts that human experts may not immediately consider. These suggestions are then reviewed and refined by food specialists before moving ahead.
“Human product innovation augmented by AI is a game-changer,” said Filippo Catalano, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Mondelez.
Similarly, Nestlé, the maker of Nescafé, and Haleon, which owns the Sensodyne toothpaste brands, are also using AI to test ingredients more efficiently, generate new product ideas and improve supply chain, as per the company.
For many customers, AI may seem closely linked to image generation or simply being a chatbot. But it is becoming an important tool in research and product development,