Top 10: Uses of AI in the Food Industry

By Kitty Wheeler
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AI is improving multiple sectors across the food industry at a rapid pace, proved by the biggest food companies in the world investing
AI is delivering solutions in a challenging time for the food industry, with techniques being adopted by major companies: Nestlé, McDonald’s and Unilever

In today's digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) is serving up a feast of innovation in the food industry, offering tech-savvy solutions to assist worldwide challenges in the food industry.
From field to fork, AI is transforming every aspect of how we grow, buy and consume food, making the entire process smarter, safer and more sustainable.
The benefits of AI for the food industry range from AI-driven precision agriculture for farmers, to assisting with improved recipes and streamlined operations in kitchens, to retailers using intelligent systems to personalise shopping experiences. 
Here, we delve into some of the top uses of AI in action, utilised by the biggest food companies in the world, to explore how these technologies are not just reshaping business models, but also promising a future where our plates are filled with healthier and more sustainable options amidst the AI-powered food revolution.

10: Reducing food waste

AI is gradually spreading in popularity with major companies as a technique to reduce food waste, enhancing sustainability goals and even profit in the food industry.
Tesco
has partnered with Winnow Solutions and slashed kitchen waste in its stores, Walmart has acquired Alert Innovation to boost its AI-driven inventory management to reduce spoilage and Danone has collaborated with Wasteless, an AI pricing system, to optimise markdowns on perishables. 
These AI systems don't just count what's binned; they predict and prevent waste before it happens by analysing disposal patterns and suggesting menu tweaks.

9: Beverage production

AI is brewing up a revolution in the beverage industry, with major players tapping into its potential. 
​​​​​​​Carlsberg's "Beer Fingerprinting" project
for one, uses AI to develop new flavours faster, while Diageo has acquired Vivanda to enhance its AI-driven flavour profiling capabilities.

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However, IntelligentX Brewing Co. leads the pack with its AI-powered recipe adjustments based on consumer feedback, and this innovative approach caught the eye of AB InBev, the world's largest brewer, leading to a partnership that's set to shake up the industry.
Additionally, Coca-Cola investmenting in AI startup Endor has helped it predict consumer trends and tailor products accordingly.

8: Ordering systems

With huge companies like Domino's partnering with Nuance Communications bringing voice-activated ordering to life, AI is earning traction for ordering systems.
Yum! Brands, owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, has invested heavily in AI
through its acquisition of Kvantum and Tictuk Technologies, enhancing its digital ordering capabilities.
​​​​​​​These AI order-takers listen and learn to personalise service and streamlining operations. The result? Faster orders, fewer mistakes, and tailored recommendations. 

7: Advanced quality control

Nestlé AI-powered visual inspection systems are setting new standards for quality control in food production, while Unilever acquiring Carver Korea has boosted its AI capabilities in cosmetic food production.

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Meanwhile, Danone partnering with Sight Machine has enhanced its real-time monitoring across dairy plants, ensuring top-notch quality, and the Coca-Cola investment in AI startup Agnext is improving quality checks for its vast array of beverages.

6: Robotics in food service

AI-powered robots are changing kitchens and food service, with industry giants investing heavily in this tech.

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Domino's Pizza has partnered with Nuro for autonomous delivery vehicles, while Yum! Brands has acquired Dragontail Systems to enhance its AI-driven kitchen automation and delivery logistics.

5: Consumer behaviour prediction

Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, uses AI to forecast demand and personalise promotions, while its acquisition of data science company Dunnhumby, has further sharpened its predictive capabilities.
Sainsbury’s
has partnered with AI firm Blue Yonder and has also transformed its supply chain management, enabling more accurate stock predictions. Meanwhile, Walmart's purchase of Aspectiva, an AI-powered review analysis tool, helps it anticipate product trends.
In the restaurant sector, McDonald's acquisition of Dynamic Yield has supercharged its AI-driven menu recommendations, adapting to factors like weather and time of day.
Meaning these AI systems react, anticipate and help retailers stock what customers want before they even know they want it.

4: Personalised nutrition plans

Personalised nutrition plans are gaining traction across the world, and Danone has demonstrated this by partnering with Nutrino, a nutrition data startup, to help tailor its products to individual health needs.
These AI nutritionists count calories and consider unique biology and goals for improved health and satisfying meals. 
Additionally, the venture arm of PepsiCo has backed Spoon Guru, an AI-powered app that helps consumers with specific dietary requirements find suitable products.

3: Optimising supply chain management

AI is revolutionising food supply chains, with industry giants harnessing its power to predict demand and optimise inventory. 
Unilever, for instance, uses AI to forecast ice cream sales based on weather patterns, while Walmart's acquisition of Intellificiency has bolstered its AI-driven inventory management.
​​​​​​​Kraft Heinz
has also partnered with IBM to streamline its operations, reducing waste and improving product availability.

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Meanwhile, Danone merging with WhiteWave Foods has accelerated its adoption of AI in supply chain management, particularly for fresh, plant-based products.

 2: Enhanced food sorting systems

Nestlé and PepsiCo are particularly fond of enhanced food sorting systems, as they can process thousands of items per minute, cut waste and boost efficiency.

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Tomra Systems, the Norwegian sorting guru, has seen its tech adopted by Dole and McCain Foods, transforming fruit and vegetable processing. 
Whereas PepsiCo has acquired Bare Foods, bringing cutting-edge AI sorting for healthy snacks, while Tyson Foods partnered with computer vision experts to optimise meat processing.

1: Agricultural farming techniques

Finally, global food giants are ploughing significant resources with one of the hottest AI uses in the food industry: precision farming, revolutionising agriculture. 
​​​​​​​Nestlé, for instance, has partnered with AI startups to optimise its coffee plantations, while PepsiCo utilises satellite imagery and machine learning to boost potato crop yields for its crisps.

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Yet John Deere leads the pack in AI-powered agricultural machinery. With their smart tractors and combines, equipped with sensors and AI algorithms, offering farmers real-time field analysis, from soil moisture levels to early disease detection. 
Cargill
has also acquired ag-tech firm Ag Analytics that has bolstered its precision agriculture capabilities, offering farmers tailored insights for each field.
​​​​​​​It seems then that perhaps AI is the secret sauce to revolutionising the food industry, offering smarter, faster and safer operations across every sector of the food industry worldwide. 

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