Artificial intelligence programs are gradually becoming part of the perfume development process. In what way does perfumers' work engage with these new methods? How can we reconcile this rational, mathematical approach with a creative process requiring sensitivity and subjectivity? Is the future of perfumers at risk? Jean-Christophe Hérault, senior perfumer at IFF, explains the implications of what is sometimes referred to as a revolution, while reminding us of the importance of human intuition. What do artificial intelligence programs used in fragrance creation consist of?

The next step in artificial intelligence technology may be robot pets, at least according to one animal welfare researcher at the University of Melbourne. In a paper published in the latest edition of the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Dr. Jean-Loup Rault argues that, as the world becomes more populated, pets will become impractical. Those who cannot afford real pets may turn to robotic alternatives. "It's not a question of centuries from now," Dr. Rault wrote in his paper. "If 10 billion human beings live on the planet in 2050 as predicted, it's likely to occur sooner than we think. If you'd described Facebook to someone 20 years ago, they'd think you were crazy. But we are already seeing people form strong emotional bonds with robot dogs in Japan."