The Digital Nose: How AI is Revolutionizing the Sense of Smell
Avani Veeramaneni, Grade 11

Artificial intelligence has come a long way in copying and improving human abilities. It can recognize images, generate pictures, and even understand and respond to voices. But what happens when AI tries to explore something as complex and emotional as the sense of smell?
The groundbreaking efforts to digitize scent, led by innovators like Alex Wiltschko, CEO of Osmo, have opened a new chapter in AI's evolution. Wiltschko’s work, rooted in his PhD in olfactory neuroscience and refined during his time at Google, has brought us closer to teaching machines the complexities of smell. Osmo’s mission to “improve human health and happiness by digitizing the human sense of smell” encapsulates the transformative promise this technology holds.
Smell is more than just a sense; it’s closely linked to our memories and emotions. As Cathy Gellis from Techdirt explains, teaching AI to recognize smells brings it closer to understanding human emotions, something machines have always struggled with. A familiar scent can instantly take us back in time, stirring feelings of nostalgia or comfort. By helping machines interpret and recreate smells, we’re not just working with scents; we’re capturing human experiences and emotions.
Yet, these advancements bring an inevitable question: will AI replace traditional roles such as perfumers, tea tasters, or even doctors? While the fear of job displacement looms, it is more likely that AI will complement rather than replace human expertise. For example, AI’s precision in scent detection could enhance a doctor’s diagnostic abilities, leading to faster, more accurate outcomes. Similarly, AI could serve as a tool for perfumers, helping them innovate while preserving the artistry of their craft.
Turning scents into digital data is very complex. Unlike mapping colors with simple models, smells involve a complicated system. Scientists are creating maps to link scents to numbers, teaching computers how to "smell." This is like decoding the language of memories and emotions tied to smell.
As with any emerging technology, digitizing scent brings both opportunities and ethical dilemmas. Who owns the data on smells, and how will it be used? Could this technology lead to invasive applications, such as tracking individuals based on their unique scent profiles? These questions must be addressed as the field progresses.
AI-powered scent technology is still new, but it shows human creativity and curiosity. As it grows, we should use it to improve lives while keeping the emotional connection that makes smell special.