What's Your Problem? Teaching Computers to Smell
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May 22, 2025 
Alex Wiltschko, co-founder and CEO of Osmo, started out as an AI researcher at Google before combining his childhood passion for perfume with cutting-edge technology. He discusses how Osmo is teaching computers to smell, with potential applications in diagnosing diseases and enhancing security. The conversation also delves into the exciting fusion of AI and fragrance creation, highlighting the innovative perfume line, Generation. Wiltschko shares personal scent experiences and the emotional intricacies linked to our olfactory preferences.
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Mystery of Smell Explained
- We lack a structured understanding of why molecules smell the way they do compared to light or sound.
- Smell doesn't have an organizing framework like musical scales or the periodic table, making it a rich mystery to explore.
Perfume's Magical Influence at Camp
- At summer camp, Alex realized perfume dramatically changes how people are treated.
- This experience sparked his lifelong fascination with scent and its invisible social power.
Fragrance Unfolds Like a Movie
- Great fragrances have multiple layers called top, middle, and base notes that unfold over hours.
- This complexity makes scent a dynamic, evolving sensory experience like a three-act movie.