Part 3/5:
Beyond mere classification, the AI demonstrated astonishing prowess by generating a hypothetical list of half a million potential odors. It then predicted how these imagined scents would be perceived. This ability to hypothesize and forecast unseen smells opens up new avenues for scientific and industrial research.
Why a Smell Map Matters
Science has long had a map of visual perception—charts that link wavelengths in the spectrum to colors humans see. These maps have been instrumental in understanding how we process sight, with detailed diagrams developed nearly a century ago. In contrast, the sense of smell has remained notoriously difficult to chart because of its complex and subjective nature.