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It has been a successful year for AI with its impact becoming more pronounced across industries. Experts believe artificial intelligence to be an enabling technology that is equivalent to electricity or even the internet. AI assists in augmenting human activities while dramatically speeding up the development of the final product. In a similar fashion, the technology is catching up with Food Processing and Handling (FP&H) across many disciplines and sectors. From weather prediction to producing high-quality raw material for food processing companies, AI impacts both directly and indirectly. In addition, it helps transportation companies reduce shipping costs resulting in lesser transportation costs for food processing companies.
The noticeable and significant shifts in all aspects of the food industry make it imperative for key stakeholders to invest in food events, such as the Food 2.0 Conference. It offers a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to gain insights into the latest trends and work towards solutions to the challenges faced by the industry. It can help key stakeholders learn new ways to apply tech tools and contribute to the digital transformation.
The food processing business involves sorting farm raw materials, maintaining the machinery along with several types of equipment, and much more. The quality of the end product is examined manually or is automated with the help of AI, which further impacts the food processing companies by helping them increase their revenue and boost customer experience.
AI directly benefits the FP&H sector in five significant applications as follows:
Sorts Packages and Products
One of the most significant operational challenges that food processing companies face is sorting feedstock to maintain a certain quality to stay in the competition. Automation through AI along with other emerging technologies such as IoT makes the process easier, time-saving, and cost-efficient.
Food Safety Compliance
Safety is a massive concern when it comes to the food industry. Food processing units use AI-based cameras to ensure employees follow the safety protocol at the time of production and beyond to keep away from the smallest food contamination. It helps managerial executives to keep a close watch on workers and whether or not they are wearing proper food protection gear as per food safety regulations. It allows them to manage various units in real-time.
Product Development
A single food processing company can provide various products but the question arises - how do these companies decide their next product? Before AI, businesses conducted surveys and launched campaigns to identify what the customer base demands. But now, with the help of AI, brands gather information on customer’s preferences. It helps in analyzing and identifying the majority of consumer demands and therefore, choose the company’s new product.
Assisting Customers With Decision Making
AI not only assists businesses in managing their products and services but also helps consumers in making a thought-out purchase decision. At surveys and campaigns, with the help of AI algorithms, customers can identify whether they like the product and later, make a decision, unlike older days.
Conclusion
Although the role of AI is at the beginner’s level, it is helping in reshaping the food industry. In the upcoming years, this technology will completely revolutionize the FP&H sector forever by assisting companies in different ways such as an increase in revenue by the quicker production process, reduced maintenance time, reduced chances of failure with the help of automation, and ultimately delivering better customer experiences by predicting their demands.
Tanvi Nigam is a food enthusiast who can be found at the trendiest restaurants on weekends! She is currently working with the Food 2.0 Conference which will focus on the latest trends in food & beverages, manufacturing tools and techniques, how to avoid scams and fraud in the F&B industry, and much, much more.
