Estée Lauder and Microsoft Join Forces on AI-Powered Beauty Innovation Lab

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) and Microsoft Corp. have joined forces once more to establish an AI Innovation Lab.

Utilising Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service’s generative AI capabilities, this partnership strives to cultivate inventive solutions that strengthen consumer relationships and expedite time to market, tailored with local relevance for ELC’s renowned beauty brands.

“At ELC, technology consistently bolsters our enduring pillars of high-quality products and personalised consumer experiences,” stated Jane Lauder, EVP of Enterprise Marketing and Chief Data Officer at The Estée Lauder Companies.

“With Microsoft’s generative AI tools and profound expertise, we harness ELC’s vast data resources to craft more personalised consumer experiences and expedite insights into actionable strategies, leading to heightened speed to market and enhanced local relevance. We eagerly anticipate the ongoing progression of our close and collaborative partnership with Microsoft.”

In addition, a primary focus area for the partnership is facilitating swift responses and implementing social trends and consumer demands. ELC and Microsoft have collaboratively developed an internal-facing generative AI chatbot to accomplish this.

Therefore, this innovative tool is engineered to augment global marketing efficiency, employing advanced conversational AI technology to streamline interactions and leverage ELC’s extensive product and claim data database. As a result, brands are empowered to launch locally relevant campaigns at an accelerated pace.

Furthermore, the partnership seeks to expedite and enhance product innovation through the integration of generative AI tools into research and development processes.

By harnessing these tools, ELC endeavours to equip its scientists and product development specialists with the capability to swiftly address emerging product and ingredient trends.

Apart from that, “Generative AI represents a substantial opportunity for the beauty industry, enabling more immersive customer experiences, expedited product delivery to consumers, efficient and sustainable new product development, and myriad other possibilities,” emphasised Shelley Bransten, Corporate Vice President of Global Industry Solutions at Microsoft. 

“We’re proud to collaborate with The Estée Lauder Companies, not only offering a platform for AI innovation but also fostering a deep partnership to translate these new innovations into reality.”

In addition, ELC and Microsoft initially partnered in 2017 to develop the Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant, a mobile application launched in early 2023. This app was designed to aid visually impaired users in applying makeup.

About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is a leading manufacturer, marketer, and seller of premium skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. Renowned for its luxury and prestige brand stewardship, its products are available in approximately 150 countries and territories.

Some of its well-known brand names include Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and Bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, which includes The Ordinary and NIOD.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq: “MSFT” @microsoft) develops platforms and tools driven by AI to provide groundbreaking solutions that cater to the ever-changing requirements of our customers. The tech giant is dedicated to making AI accessible to all while ensuring responsible use, with a mission to empower every individual and organization worldwide to accomplish more.