Symrise AI scent Berlin 3.0 is a highlight at the IBM Think Summit in Frankfurt
On October 22, 2019, at the IBM Think Summit in Frankfurt am Main, Symrise demonstrated how good a perfume can smell with the help of artificial intelligence. Symrise and IBM Research are collaborating closely on this innovative project. A digital perfumer assisted in the creation of BERLIN 3.0 based on numerous evaluations from passersby in the well-known shopping center BIKINI Berlin.
The smart assistant, called Philyra, supports the work of professional perfumers at Symrise. Artificial intelligence (AI) is capable of creating scents based on complex algorithms, which perfumers finally perfect using their knowledge and expertise. The IBM technology group invited the Holzminden based company to present this project at Germany’s most important Think Summit, in Frankfurt am Main. Symrise Executive Board member Achim Daub and Senior Perfumer Marc vom Ende demonstrated how artificial intelligence can contribute to more creative scent design. Symrise recently created BERLIN 3.0, the first scent developed dynamically with AI. It was created collaboratively, since the components were blended using feedback from visitors to the Bikini Berlin shopping center. From May 20 to June 29, 2019, 4,300 people took part, of whom 1,100 shared their impressions of the scents.
“You could literally smell the innovative spirit in Berlin. In a unique way, human experiences and creativity blended with the possibilities presented by machine learning and collaboratively generated consumer preferences,” says Achim Daub, President Scent & Care at Symrise. “IBM would also like to demonstrate this experience with new technologies and pioneer spirit at its Think Summit in Frankfurt. We’re proud to be able to show our AI at this important event.” On October 22, 2019, Daub presented participants at the Think Summit with the scent BERLIN 3.0, which was generated during the summer in the Bikini Berlin center using innovative creative approaches.
Daring to look from Frankfurt into the future
Around 2,000 visitors attended the “Kap Europa” conference center in Frankfurt am Main. Attending were primarily IBM customers who want to exchange information and discuss new technical possibilities. Similar events will take place this fall in Lucerne and Vienna.
“With AI, our customers can benefit from a greater differentiation in the fragrance creation process: Philyra makes more creativity possible by developing new raw material combinations. These can be perfectly matched to individual user preferences and then refined by our perfumers,” says Achim Daub. “At the same time, we offer our customers more efficient and effective scent creation processes.”
Phylira is a development tool for perfumers based on an AI algorithm, which Symrise is using initially for fine fragrance. The Symrise researchers see great future potential for other fragrance applications in beauty care as well as household products.
Lead photo: Symrise Global President Scent & Care Achim Daub; IBM GM Matthias Hartmann; IBM’s Johanna Wende; Symrise CEO Dr. Heinz-Jeurgen Bertram; Symrise’s Claire Viola; and Symrise’s Christian Schepers; along with Symrise Perfumer Marc vom Ende
For more information on Symrise, please visit www.symrise.com
