The adoption of disruptive technologies in the consumer products industry Spotlight on artificial intelligence

4 minute read 07 January 2019

​Consumer products organizations can leverage artificial intelligence solutions to improve efficiencies, personalize offerings, and achieve a coveted outcome—consumer delight.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of several disruptive technologies that consumer products’ companies can deploy to further advance their journey to digital maturity. AI technologies “perform and/or augment tasks, help better inform decisions, and accomplish objectives that have traditionally required human intelligence, such as planning and reasoning from partial or uncertain information and learning.”1 As such, AI technologies can potentially strengthen a company’s competitive advantage in the marketplace and enhance the customer experience.

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  • Through the implementation of AI technologies, companies in the consumer products space can potentially benefit from:
    • Automated processes that can help organizations realize greater efficiencies, improved outcomes, and reduced costs
    • AI-based product and service innovations made possible through AI-generated permutations of potential product and service dimensions
    • Augmented decision-making enabled by advanced AI algorithms that quickly optimize scientific decision-making, allocate resources, and efficiently scale operations
  • The possible benefits for the consumer include:
    • Personalized products. In the apparel, fashion, and athleisure space, products can be designed to suit a buyer’s individual features and needs. Food and beverage companies can customize packaging by using digital printing technology.
    • Online product recommendations. An algorithm-driven user interface can provide product recommendations based on assessments of consumers’ buying patterns and product preferences, making the shopping experience more relevant, enjoyable, and satisfying.
    • Timely service. Digital supply chain networks driven by AI have dramatically reduced turnaround, delivery, and customer service times.

Figure 1 explores several potential use cases of AI that are applicable to the consumer products industry. They are arranged based on the main categories associated with cognitive technologies: robotic process automation, language technologies, machine learning, and computer vision.

Possible use cases of AI in the consumer products industry

Carlsberg tests AI to develop new beer flavors

Until recently, flavors and aromas were tested using chromatography and spectrometry techniques that were tedious and time-consuming. Developing a new flavor using these techniques potentially took eight to 24 months. Enter “The Beer Fingerprinting Project,” Carlsberg’s latest research project that deploys AI-based sensors to rapidly detect flavors and aromas of beer.2 This sensor technology for flavor determination can reduce the time taken to innovate and develop a new beer flavor by up to 30 percent. Carlsberg hopes to use this technology to bring new beer flavors to the market faster than before.3 Success of this project can open doors for similar uses in other diverse industries, including the pharmaceuticals and food industries.

Estee Lauder uses a chatbot to help consumers discover their ideal lipstick

Estee Lauder deploys a patented AI-based facial recognition program to develop a chatbot that helps online customers to choose and purchase their ideal lipstick. The chatbot is accessible on Facebook Messenger and allows online and mobile users to interact with Estee Lauder’s select lipstick brands. In addition, the chatbot administers a quiz to customers and then provides them with personalized shade recommendations.4

AI applications can help position companies as digital leaders

AI-based solutions can lead to a competitive advantage for consumer products organizations through increased efficiencies and enhanced customer experience. Companies could likely benefit from identifying applications from the potential use cases we’ve outlined as well as by developing customized ones of their own. In addition, it may be advantageous to review product, marketing, advertising, and customer service strategies and tactics with the goal of integrating AI into these consumer-facing areas. As consumers become increasingly comfortable with AI-derived products and experiences, their preferences and behaviors may evolve, potentially leading them to expect AI experiences as the norm.

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Center for Industry Insights

The Deloitte Center for Industry Insights is the research division of Deloitte LLP’s Consumer and Industrial Products practice. The center’s goal is to inform stakeholders across the consumer business and manufacturing ecosystem of critical business issues, including emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities. Using primary research and rigorous analysis, the center provides unique perspectives and seeks to be a trusted source for relevant, timely, and reliable insights.

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