The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) and Microsoft Corp. announced the creation of an AI Innovation Lab to expand their global strategic relationship. The companies will work together to develop solutions using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service.
The AI Innovation Lab will support and build generative AI use cases across several areas of ELC’s business. A key focus will be faster response and execution to social trends and consumer demands, say the companies.
ELC and Microsoft have created an internal-facing generative AI chatbot as well. The bot uses conversational AI technology to navigate ELC’s database of product and claim data.
Another area of focus is enabling product innovation. ELC and Microsoft are applying generative AI tools in research and development for quicker product development.
The AI Innovation Lab represents a deepening of the strategic relationship between ELC and Microsoft, which began in 2017. As part of this long-term relationship, ELC tapped Azure AI as the platform for its Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant, a mobile app launched in early 2023 to help visually impaired users more easily apply makeup.
[Image courtesy: Estée Lauder]