'I visited the world’s first AI fragrance machine to find my own bespoke perfume - and it's coming to the Trafford Centre this weekend'

Sometimes, there is a little part of me that is concerned about the fact that artificial intelligence is slowly taking over more and more of our lives - not only that robots are here to stay, but here for our jobs.

But, there’s also another part of me that sees the benefit to how AI can be a benefit and make things a little easier for us.

This Saturday and Sunday (June 29 and 30), The Fragrance Shop will bring the world’s first AI fragrance machine to The Trafford Centre, allowing people to create their own bespoke perfume based on information they share with the AI overlords - but how does it work? And, more importantly, does it actually create something that smells nice?

I was invited down to the Fragrance Shop’s HQ in Trafford Park to give the wizardry behind all of it an early whirl and to try it myself and, well, it was certainly an experience.

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On first impressions, the machine itself - already a firm fixture in The Fragrance Shop's London, Oxford Street store - looked a little like a mix between Dr Jekyll’s potions lab and a spirits dispensary that you’d see at a pop-up beer festival, but I'm told there is very specific science behind all of it and I should wait to see the magic in action.

The machine works by asking you a few non-invasive yet slightly philosophical questions through your smartphone, like ‘are you a realist or a dreamer?’ and ‘how would you describe your style’? Feeling neither hipster nor sporty, I went for the surely-safe options of casual and artsy, but I immediately wonder how that choice will impact my perfume scent.

The question that properly stumped me, however, was when I was asked which colour represents me best as it’s, in all honesty, not something I’ve ever really thought about before. Deep in consideration, I eventually opt for a shade of blue, for no reason other than it looking good on the screen.

It’s explained to me that the responses to each question are then fed into a data system made up of 46 different ‘scent building blocks’, using a combination of natural and synthetic molecules, to then generate three unique scene profiles. There are perhaps around five billion different combinations to be made through this process, so it is really unlikely that I’m going to end up with my own homemade take on Dior Sauvage or Bleu De Chanel.

One of my favourite eau de toilettes is Armani Code, it’s one I’ve had pretty much since it launched in 2014. It’s got lovely notes of bergamot and citrus, but ultimately gives off a woody and leather fragrance. With my answers, I was trying to get as close to this as possible whilst also being open to venturing into more sweet and floral tones as there’s really not much point getting a scent that’s too similar to what I’ve already got.

Having completed my questionnaire, the fragrance machine is instantly booted up and starts a conveyor belt of fun. Empty bottles make their way down the line whilst they are filled up with bits of this and bits of that. The best thing about it is that you get three 5ml bottles, so you’d hope that at least one of the scent profiles hits the right spot.

After they’d gone through the machine, I was able to give them a smell. My first impression of the first perfume was overwhelmingly sweet - agreeing that it sort of smelt like a Christmas candle, but, once I let it develop, it got much nicer and actually turned out to be the favourite of the bunch.

Looking at the notes, it featured ‘blond woods’, alongside woody amber, vanilla, amber, tonka, leather, apple and chai. There was also a cinnamon-esque smell to it, which appeared to be my senses playing with me, as it wasn’t in the ingredients list.

The second one smelt nice and fresh, featuring spicy musk, alongside vanilla, sandalwood, tea, patchouli, grapefruit and a bit of pepper. The grapefruit added a zesty tone to the smell, which really differentiated it from the first one.

The third perfume had to be my least favourite out of the three of them. Whilst somewhat pleasant, it was the type of smell I’d normally reserve for a room diffuser rather than a perfume or an aftershave I’d use. This one also overwhelmingly featured sandalwood, alongside vetiver (I’m told this is a type of grass that has earthy tones to it), herbs and a metallic accord.

All in all, the experience was incredibly fun and the idea that there are so many different potentials really means that everyone’s own creation will be unique. I kept thinking that it would also make for a perfect gift, either at Christmas or Valentine’s day, for someone - but I’d probably recommend getting a voucher for the experience rather than chancing your luck on what you think someone’s individual scent is like.

If you’re pleased with the results at the end, your scents can easily be found on your account on the EveryHuman website that is used to create the perfumes so you can easily order them again, or even venture for a bigger bottle if you’re extra keen on one of them.

And, if you want to try the experience for yourself, you can get on down to the pop-up at the Trafford Centre this weekend. The AI machine will be available on the upper floor of the shopping centre (near the entrance to the food court, just off Regent Crescent), with the three 5ml bottles costing £45.

You can also try the experience online and get it delivered to your door, but it’s definitely worth seeing it made in front of you if you can! Plus, the first 25 people in line to purchase the experience at the Trafford Centre pop-up (from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and 12pm to 4pm on Sunday will get their hands on an exclusive The Fragrance Shop goody bag.