Unilever Accelerating AI, Graph Technology With New Global Lab
The latest step in Unilever’s new corporate strategy includes the opening of its first global artificial intelligence lab, where it intends to hasten the tech’s use across a range of functions.
The lab, located in Toronto and known as Horizon3 Labs, will operate under the data and analytics team and initially focus on forecasting and modeling data relationships with graph technology, the latter of which will be a new application for the company.
Gary Bogdani, Unilever head of data science for North America and Canada D&A, said the ability for graph technology to represent complex data in simple ways can facilitate visual representation of data and relationships, among other benefits.
“They can also power recommendation engines by identifying connections between consumers and products, and support collaborative and social applications by efficiently managing connections between users, posts and interactions,” he noted in a statement.
Horizon3 Labs will also focus on generating insights for trends, patterns, and predictions. Beyond the initial three applications, the No. 6 publicly owned consumer goods company has identified 15 core areas of focus for AI.
Unilever currently has more than 400 applications of AI, including marrying AI with image capture technology within 50,000 ice cream freezers to help the company’s retail partners manage their inventory and place new orders. The tech, which has reportedly provided a sales lift of up to 35% for the retailers, also enables sellers to leverage the data for promotions.
The company is also using generative AI within customer service and marketing, as well as advanced analytics and machine learning in supply chain and logistics.
Horizon3 Labs Model
Initiatives at Horizon3 Labs will follow a “hybrid” model that embeds academic researchers and leaders from startups, and the work will ultimately be incorporated across Unilever’s global business.
Andy Hill, Unilever chief data officer, said in a statement that establishing the lab in Toronto will provide access to top tech talent and business partners.
“Unilever is making a significant investment in developing and deploying AI technology across the business, and the launch of Unilever’s AI lab will expedite the progress we are making globally and enable us to have the right focus on technology innovation,” he noted.
