Unilever taps AI for R&D and supply chain optimization in personal care

UK – Unilever’s Personal Care business is harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) as a powerful driver for growth, innovation, and customer connection, achieving “Desire at Scale” through deep consumer insight and data-driven activation. 

According to Unilever, AI is integrated across the entire value chain, from manufacturing to market, boosting innovation, execution, and decision-making, delivering remarkable business results.

Unilever supports widespread AI adoption across the Personal Care teams through a comprehensive AI development program that includes tailored training, workshops, and support networks. 

This initiative has led to over 75% of office-based employees becoming proficient users of AI productivity tools, contributing to notable improvements in work quality and efficiency, including a 14% boost in brief quality and up to 58% in time savings.

In research and development, AI accelerates innovation by rapidly simulating complex biological interactions, enabling faster discovery of new product formulations, such as Odour Adapt technology for deodorants. 

On the manufacturing floor, AI-driven autonomous processes, predictive maintenance, and digital twins optimize productivity, quality, and waste reduction. 

The Personal Care factory in Aguaí, Brazil, has improved safety by 12% through AI-enabled behaviour detection.

In contrast, the Hefei factory in China supports improved equipment efficiency and reduced batch cycle times through AI.

Unilever’s Digital & Information leadership expresses optimism about AI’s continued potential to unlock new opportunities across Personal Care, emphasizing the collective achievements so far and the excitement about further innovations yet to come.

A standout example is Dove’s “Change the Compliment” campaign, which used AI to analyze consumer feedback and identify the most resonant messages aimed at reshaping how girls are praised. 

Launched on October 11, 2025, on the International Day of the Girl, this campaign progressed from insight to full execution in just 6 months and was rolled out across 25 markets, featuring over 100 content units. 

Within 30 days, it amassed 700 million impressions and achieved 94% positive sentiment, underscoring the speed and scale AI unlocks in connecting emotionally with consumers.

The use of AI extends beyond digital campaigns into retail environments. 

In Latin America, AI tools empower over 3,600 merchandisers in 6,000 stores by prioritizing actions tailored to local needs, enabling proactive resolution of issues like empty shelves and visibility gaps. 

This shift from reactive to proactive retail management enhances customer engagement and sales performance.

Meanwhile, Unilever recently transformed its product photography approach by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twin technology. 

Using platforms such as NVIDIA Omniverse, Unilever has developed highly detailed, 3D digital replicas of its products. 

These digital twins encompass various product variants, labels, and language formats, ensuring precise and consistent representation. 

By adopting Open Universal Scene Description (USD), Unilever has also enhanced compatibility across its systems and suppliers, streamlining workflows.

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