Artificial intelligence firm Osmo is on a mission to bring back the future once imagined in 1960, when Hans Laube introduced the world to “Smell-O-Vision.” Unlike its quirky predecessor, Osmo’s venture into scent technology is more than a novelty; it aims to change how we interact with the world by teaching computers to understand and interpret scents.
Osmo’s groundbreaking work is at the intersection of science and engineering, with the ambitious goal of building generative AI that can process and generate scents in the same way AI systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini handle sounds and images. The firm’s vision is clear: to usher in an era where computers can produce smells as easily as we generate images and sounds today.
Teaching a computer to recognise and identify smells is a complex challenge. Unlike sight and sound, which can be captured by microphones and cameras, there’s no direct technological equivalent for the human nose. While devices like breathalysers can analyse the chemical content of gases, these instruments are designed for specific tasks, such as detecting ethanol to determine blood alcohol levels.
The real challenge lies in creating a system that can detect a wide range of ambient molecules and then accurately classify and identify them. This is where Osmo’s expertise comes into play. The company’s approach involves the intricate process of associating specific molecules with their corresponding aromas and training AI to recognise these patterns.
The task is far from simple. There’s no pre-existing “smell map” for AI to study, so Osmo had to build its own dataset from scratch, a daunting endeavour that requires extraordinary precision. As Osmo’s CEO and co-founder Alex Wiltschko explained, “The reason why it’s so challenging is because you can move one tiny thing around in that molecule, like one bond, and the scent of the molecule goes from roses to rotten egg.”
Despite these challenges, Osmo’s work holds tremendous potential for advancing human health and wellbeing. While the idea of reviving Smell-O-Vision might seem trivial at first glance, the technology being developed by Osmo could have profound implications. For instance, the ability to detect specific diseases through scent, such as identifying the presence of cancer or symptoms of diabetes like low blood sugar, could revolutionise medical diagnostics.
Moreover, Osmo’s team is exploring the possibility of recreating smells using molecular synthesis. This innovation would allow a computer to “smell” something in one location and then transmit that information to another computer for resynthesis—essentially enabling the teleportation of odours over the internet.
The implications of this technology extend beyond healthcare. Scent could soon join sight and sound as a critical element in marketing and branding. Imagine a world where companies carefully curate their brand’s aroma, just as they do with logos and jingles today. The scent of a brand could become as recognisable as its visual identity, adding a new dimension to the customer experience.
Osmo’s work may seem futuristic, but it’s firmly rooted in today’s technological advancements. The AI systems that have revolutionised how we interact with sound and images are now being adapted to interpret and generate smells. The potential applications of this technology are vast, from healthcare and diagnostics to marketing and entertainment.
As Osmo continues to push the boundaries of what AI can do, it’s clear that we’re on the brink of a new era in technology. The company’s work is not just about bringing back the nostalgic dream of Smell-O-Vision; it’s about creating a future where computers can understand and interact with the world through the sense of smell. This could change the way we diagnose diseases, market products, and even communicate with each other.
In a world where technology is often seen as cold and impersonal, Osmo’s work brings a touch of humanity to AI. By teaching computers to smell, the company is opening up new possibilities for how we interact with technology and with each other. The future of AI isn’t just about sight and sound; it’s about engaging all of our senses, and Osmo is leading the way in this exciting new frontier.
