A Beautiful AI: how AI is being used in the Beauty industry -- An Everyday AI chat with Wayne Liu

The conversation begins with Jordan Wilson introducing the topic of AI's impact on the beauty industry, highlighting that this is an area that hasn't been discussed extensively on the Everyday AI show. He expresses excitement about discussing not only the current influence of AI but also its potential future impact on beauty. Jordan provides a brief overview of his role and the purpose of Everyday AI, emphasizing their mission to educate people on leveraging generative AI for personal and professional growth. The introduction of Wayne Lou, the President and Chief Growth Officer of Perfect Corp, sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of AI's role in the beauty sector.

Wayne Lou shares the story of Perfect Corp, starting as a startup and evolving into a publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. He explains how their technology serves the beauty industry, with a focus on virtual try-ons and skin analysis using AI. Wayne discusses the evolution of AI within the company, from machine learning and deep learning to generative AI, and how it has improved efficiency and productivity. He also touches on the potential of AI in fashion and medical applications, emphasizing the company's commitment to using AI for positive societal impact.

The discussion shifts to the specific role of generative AI in the beauty industry. Wayne explains how generative AI has revolutionized the process of creating new hairstyles and other beauty-related products by significantly reducing the time required for development. He also highlights the increased accuracy and efficiency that generative AI brings to the table, which has been well-received by their customers. The conversation explores the broader applications of AI beyond beauty, particularly in the medical field, where it can educate and empower patients by simulating potential treatment outcomes.

Jordan and Wayne delve into the societal implications of AI in the beauty industry, particularly how it interacts with social media and the evolving perceptions of beauty. Wayne discusses the concept of 'Beauty 1.0' and how AI is shifting towards personalization, allowing individuals to define their own beauty. He emphasizes the importance of AI as a tool for consultation and empowerment, rather than a means to achieve an unattainable standard of beauty. The conversation underscores the need for education and responsible use of AI to avoid perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards.

Wayne narrates his personal journey from being an engineer at companies like Intel and Nvidia to becoming a leader in beauty technology at Perfect Corp. He shares how his curiosity about the real-world applications of technology led him to explore the intersection of beauty and technology. Wayne credits his CEO and mentor, Alice Chen, for inspiring the venture into the beauty industry, with a focus on creating products that serve the female community. Despite having no background in makeup, Wayne's engineering background and interest in technology's practical applications have contributed to his success in the beauty tech sector.

Looking ahead, Wayne envisions a future where AI continues to enhance productivity and sustainability in the beauty industry. He predicts that AI will remain a solid and evolving force, improving efficiency and user experience while also contributing to more sustainable practices. Wayne emphasizes the importance of using AI responsibly, ensuring it empowers individuals without causing harm. He concludes by reiterating the role of AI creators and promoters in guiding its use for positive societal impact, highlighting the potential of AI to save resources and reduce waste in the beauty sector.

Jordan wraps up the conversation by thanking Wayne for his insights into the use of AI at Perfect Corp and its future in the beauty industry. He appreciates Wayne's commitment to using AI responsibly and sustainably. Jordan reminds the audience that he and Wayne will continue to engage with them through the comments section and encourages listeners to sign up for the Everyday AI newsletter for more content. The episode ends on a positive note, with a reminder of the potential for AI to drive growth and innovation in a responsible manner.