When it comes to the food business, food processing & handling play a major role. The human workforce is vital for the successful production of food products. But lately, the food industry lags in the demand-supply cycle. That’s where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a role in improving the food demand-supply cycle.
What is the Impact of AI on the Food Industry?
Artificial intelligence and food together can overcome the challenges in the food industry. With the help of AI, business owners can automate every process. From food production to delivery techniques, things are easier to maneuver with AI-based systems that also update the operations competency.
AI for Monitoring Customer Behavior
The key to increasing revenue is to know what things to make in large quantities and which specific foods to add to a restaurant menu. Since customers and market expectations are evolving rapidly, staying one step ahead of your competitors has become vital. AI in the food industry helps you understand how people consider flavor and their preferences. It further segments users into various demographic groups while modeling their preference behavior. It even helps food business owners to predict customer choices.
AI in Sorting and Packing Food
One of the tedious and time-consuming processes in food production is ordering and packaging food items. AI-based systems can automate the time-consuming process and help in reducing errors while boosting output. However, a considerable amount of data is needed for forming an AI-based sorting and packing system to enable the system to efficiently handle tasks.
Personal Hygiene
AI can be used in restaurants and manufacturing areas to monitor hygiene and safety practices of workers such as wearing masks and washing hands. If there is any violation, the screen images are easier to extract for inspection to ensure personal hygiene in the food industry.
Equipment Cleaning and Maintenance
Maintaining cleanliness is vital but quite difficult in food processing plants. With automation, it is easier to clean food processing equipment and machinery to the highest standards. It not only avoids pathogen contamination in food but also prevents allergen cross-contamination.
Product Development
Food analytics companies can also pave way for AI in the product development department. Coca-Cola, for example, maintains self-serving soda fountains to enable customers to mix their drinks using different Coca-Cola liquids. Using AI, the company discovered that most of the customers blend cherry-flavored Coke with some sprite. So, they came up with the popular “Cherry Sprite” drink. Similarly, companies can also use AI to observe consumer behavior for better product development.
Decision-Making of Customers
Everyone has their preferences. AI-based food and beverage analytics from companies such as Spoonshot can record these preferences while enabling businesses to create products that consumers prefer and love. Hence, the result is increased sales as well as customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
While the role of AI is at the initial level, it could reshape the food industry for good. In a few years, artificial intelligence and food technology will revolutionize the food and beverage sector completely. From reduced maintenance time to faster production and fewer errors, companies could deliver better products as per customer demands.
