Volodymyr - stock.adobe.comNewsLOral: Making AI worth itNo stranger to advanced technologies, the cosmetics firm is partnering with IBM on GenAI capabilities to support its sustainability goalsByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 16 Jan 2025 11:57 Cosmetics and beauty company LOral has expanded its long-term partnership with IBM to uncover new insights in cosmetic formulation data through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology.The company hopes to use GenAI to support its plans to use sustainable raw materials for energy and material waste reductions. The use of GenAI aligns with its LOral for the Future sustainability programmes target of sourcing most of its product formulas from bio-sourced materials and the circular economy by 2030.The cosmetics and beauty company has been working with IBM for a few years, as part of a digital transformation journey to Industry 4.0 where IBMs Watson internet of things (IoT) platform supports decision-making. The company has used a range of technologies from IBM to deliver IoT, augmented and virtual reality, and AI, which form the basis of the smarter factory at LOreal.In 2018, the company acquired ModiFace, which provides augmented reality and artificial intelligence for the beauty industry. The AI-powered technology has been used to enable Amazon customers to use the front-facing camera on their mobile phone to digitally try different shades of lipstick in a live video of themselves or on a selfie.This latest application of AI with IBM has the potential to augment LOrals creativity in finding new cosmetic formulations to transform the beauty industry. The AI model is being developed using a large number of formulations and component data points to accelerate multiple tasks to be performed by LOral, including the formulation of new products, reformulation of existing cosmetics and optimisation for scale-up production, to support LOrals 4,000 researchers worldwide in the coming years.IBM Consultings work also involves helping LOral rethink and redesign the formulation discovery process. According to IBM, understanding the behaviour of renewable ingredients in cosmetic formulas will help LOral build out more sustainable product lines with greater inclusivity and personalisation for consumers around the world. Matthieu Cassier, chief transformation and digital officer for LOral research and innovation, said: Building on years of unique beauty science expertise and of data structuring, this major alliance with IBM is opening a new, exciting era for our innovation and development process.IBM described the work as augmented research, where highly specialised expertise in artificial intelligence and cosmetics are used to revolutionise cosmetic formulation.It embodies the spirit of AI-augmented research, emphasising sustainability and diversity, said Guilhaume Leroy-Mline, IBM distinguished engineer in business transformation services at IBM Consulting France.Read more about GenAI in manufacturingUnilever calls on Accenture to drive AI business efficiency: Manufacturer Unilever is already using AI for advanced data analytics, but is now exploring how to use Accentures GenAI platform.JLR and Tata team to deliver smarter, data-driven, connected cars: Jaguar Land Rover partners with digital ecosystem enabler to supercharge next-generation vehicle connectivity with real-time vehicle location services and smarter driving experience.In The Current Issue:Interview: Wendy Redshaw, chief digital information officer, NatWest Retail BankPreparing for AI regulation: The EU AI ActDownload Current IssueData engineering - Percona: Measure twice, implement once, the art of thinking ahead CW Developer NetworkThe UK government's AI plan covers all the bases but needs a dose of pragmatism Computer Weekly Editors BlogView All Blogs