Introduction: How Would AI Help Us Smell?
Every time you type a message or email on your phone, it's likely that your phone is predicting what you're going to write based on previous messages.
For example, when using Google and typing in an address, the website suggests words which could be different from the original word you typed. When listening to music on iTunes, you are presented with a selection of albums based on songs you like and have more likely purchased previously.
So what happens if AI can also predict:
- What something SMELLS like
- How strong the SMELL will be
- Whether the SMELL will be nice, harmful or beneficial
- What the SCENT of a perfume will be when mixed
- What the SCENT of a room will be in 10 minutes
Scientific Studies Show Predictive AI Smell Modeling is Viable
Similar to how GPT models predict tokens in a sentence, the latest Biological-AI hybrid technology is able to predict the next molecule in the scent of a given object. In addition, the Sensory Computing Future may include Predictive Smell AI as an everyday feature.
The Hard Part: Why SMELL is Not Like SIGHT or SOUND
Sight is the result of LIGHT; Sound is a result of FREQUENCIES; Text is a result of PATTERNS; even the SENSE of TASTE can be calculated based on CATEGORIES of CHEMICALS.
However, when talking about SMELL, there is NO PATTERN. The vast majority of MOLECULES cannot be grouped based on their SMELL. Multiple MOLECULES can produce the SAME SMELL; Similar MOLECULES can have HIGHLY DISTINCT SMELLS and COMBINATIONS of TWO OR MORE WILL RESULT in MULTIPLIED UNPREDICTABILITY.
Smelling odours is NON-LINEAR, COMPLEX, and contains EXCEPTIONS to EVERY PRINCIPLE.
For many years, researchers considered this "impossible mapping problem". Recent research and technology advances provided a link between the worlds of science and technology by changing the way that we understand this topic.
Models of artificial intelligence leverage molecules to learn how to make smell predictions. Studies are demonstrating:
- Neuronal networks translate molecular structures into smell categories.
- Graph neural networks (GNN) examine the chemical bonds of each molecule.
- Generative models create new scents.
- Bio-inspired models replicated the human sense of smell in an artificial format for prediction.
This lays the groundwork for AI models that will predict smells.
Step By Step: Predictive AI Smells
- Determine the chemical composition of a particular molecule.
- Create a visual representation of this chemical structure by generating a network of dots and lines that represent atoms and bonds.
- Train AI-based algorithms using a dataset of thousands of odor labels.
- Based on the previously created network for the chemical structure, generate descriptive characteristics associated with the chemical structure such as "orange", "wood", "burn", "metal", etc. The predictive model will extend to provide descriptions of intensity and pleasantness.
Essentially, the same concept of text prediction applies to smell prediction models: the prediction of odors from their corresponding chemical structures; exploring the next step of modern science.
Another step; this is what the future of removing the human element from smell prediction might look like:
- Prediction of food before cooking.
- Prediction of smell based on heat, humidity, and air chemicals.
- Prediction of the odor created by blending perfume ingredients.
- Prediction of how a fire will scent your environment when the humidity level is low and the amount of smoke in the air is significant.
AI Smell Knowledge In The Future
1. Perfume and Fragrance Creation
Using AI to help create food and wine flavors—the role of computational chemistry. AI can help visualize and suggest how to mix molecules to create natural perfumes. Virtual perfumes can be created using AI and then physically smelled by the users.
2. Improved Safety & Early Warning Systems
AI has the potential to warn people about smells before they are able to detect them; for example: natural gas leaks, chemical leaks, food spoilage, smoke patterns, mold growth, and food safety alerts.
3. Smart Kitchens & Food Science
- Predict how strong garlic smell will be after 10 minutes.
- Monitor how curry smells over time.
- Forecast fermentation odors for tomorrow.
- Detect food spoilage and automatically adjust ventilation, temperature, timing, and safety notifications.
4. Using Smell Patterns For Disease Detection
AI models that use chemical sensors to read odor signatures may detect conditions like diabetes, malaria, and cancer, providing early warnings for healthcare systems.
5. Environmental Smell Forecasting
AI can map odor changes in the environment, allowing predictive modeling for air quality, public safety, and environmental monitoring.
Digital Smell Sharing & Devices
Imagine a world where we can “send a smell” via AI, create virtual smell files, share perfumes online, add smell to movies, or design video games with scent capabilities.
Creating and providing digital scents requires specialized electronic “noses”:
- Chemical sensors
- Humidity data
- Temperature readings
- Volatile organic compound detectors
- Pattern analysis of data
AI will learn to recognize patterns of volatile organic compounds. Future cell phones could contain micro-electronic noses to detect air quality, spoiled food, smoke, health-related signals, and perfumes.
Challenges include the subjectivity of smell, cultural differences, complexity of mixed odors, miniaturization and affordability of sensors, and ethical concerns.
Comparing AI Smell Recognition To The Human Sense Of Smell
The human nose has over 400 receptor types and millions of pattern combinations, with associations to memories and emotions. AI can recognize patterns and predict smells but cannot contextualize them emotionally or experientially.
Predicting Smell Will Evolve Into A Digital Sense
In 10–20 years, devices may:
- Predict what you will smell before you encounter it
- Interpret undetectable smell signals
- Alert you to unseen threats
- Offer recommendations for smell-related experiences
- Model how your environment will smell in the future
As with AI predicting text, sound, images, and videos, smell will become the next frontier of sensing through AI.
Conclusion
Olfactory intelligence will enhance our lives in multiple ways:
- Kitchen appliances will become more advanced
- Cities will become more secure
- Perfume will integrate with digital imagery
- Personal devices will gain sensory capabilities
- Healthcare will become more predictive and measurable
- Food consumption and appreciation will evolve
Machines will soon have the ability not only to see and hear but also to smell the world, responding sensitively to odors and creating new sensory experiences.