General Counsel + Head of Legal, Privacy, AI & Ethics | ModiFace

Aarani Stoneham
General Counsel + Head of Legal, Privacy, AI & Ethics | ModiFace
What projects are you most proud to have worked on over the past 12 months?
Given that ModiFace operates at the bleeding edge of augmented reality and AI, taking a multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance, I work closely with our teams on all projects, to embed responsible design and accountability into every phase of development. There is a focus on risk mitigation and a commitment to establishing strong governance practices today as we develop technology for tomorrow.
One recent highlight of the ModiFace team’s work is Beauty Genius, a generative AI-powered virtual assistant on the L’Oréal Paris U.S. website. The tool allows users to access personalized diagnostics, and product recommendations across more than 750 items, and real-time virtual try-ons—all through an intuitive and private digital assistant.
It’s designed to be both empowering and inclusive as we are using technology to enhance confidence, not just appearance.
How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?
Despite its global reach, ModiFace retains a tight-knit, agile culture blending intelligence and speed with structure. I lead Legal but am supported by the broader L’Oréal legal community—especially colleagues on the AI legal team in Paris, the GC of L’Oreal Canada and privacy teams in the U.S. We are nimble – I have the luxury of being an in-house lawyer that works closely with, and learns daily from, teams in research, retail, and AI. We don’t work in silos which allows the legal team to be truly collaborative in working with the business to define ModiFace’s strategic imperatives.