Estée Lauder expands AI across its vast beauty business

From more personalized consumer experiences to swifter development of new beauty products, Estée Lauder Companies is infusing AI capabilities across the board with a range of cloud and AI tools from Microsoft.

At the center of the effort is the company's Unified Data Platform, built on Microsoft technology, which connects 80 years of consumer insights across Estée Lauder's brands, regions, channels and functions. The goal is to accelerate product innovation and spur sharper data-driven insights.

New York-based Estée Lauder Companies is one of the world's biggest makers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. Its products are sold in 150 countries and territories and include household brands such as Estée Lauder, Clinique, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Aveda.

The company's expanded use of Microsoft AI tools and cloud and data services, announced Friday, will touch almost every aspect of its business from marketing to operations to research and development.

"Our partnership with Microsoft, in addition to the other strategic partners in our One Operating Ecosystem, is powering our teams with the capabilities to ultimately deliver more relevant, personalized experiences that meet consumers' evolving needs," Brian Franz, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies said in a press release.

The company's scientists have decades of product data to draw on, but having it in one place on the Unified Data Platform could make it easier to use as they develop new products and internal solutions for an increasingly competitive global beauty market.

Additionally, the company has expanded Copilot access across its office-based global workforce of more than 14,000.