WILL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRANSFORM THE FOOD WE EAT?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the food industry in many ways. The technology opens new doors to innovation and new product development (NPD). It can also be used to power demand forecasting models and meet production requirements through the elimination of overstocking.

AI FOOD DEVELOPMENT

The new Brazilian start-up company, Fazenda Futuro, has developed a vegan burger using AI technology. The burger has the taste, smell and texture of a regular meat burger, but instead it’s made from chickpea protein and soy. The cutting-edge ‘Futuro’ burger also proudly boasts the same nutritional prowess of a regular beef burger. Similarly, NotCo, the plant-based food manufacturing company, is using AI technology to develop successful plant-based alternatives to animal based foods such as mayonnaise, cheese and yoghurt. Instead their innovative products are made from garbanzo beans.

Food and beverage businesses that can leverage AI in their operations to develop and devise plant-based products (and substitutes) are likely to find success.  These AI processes include the analysis of the specifics of flavor, aroma, texture and nutritional content when developing meat alternatives. But the power of AI doesn’t end there.

Other startups such as Iron Ox have developed entire growing systems based around AI robotics. Their processes are aimed at reducing labor costs and minimizing crop loss due to factors such as climate change. Advents such as drone pollinators are also being utilized to increase efficiency in farms and greenhouses. This means the delicious organic produce we see in supermarkets is increasingly arriving via an AI helping hand.

AI SOFTWARE

In the age of sustainability, we should note that retailers lose more than $1 trillion globally as a result of overstock and out-of-stock situations, and the fresh food and beverage industry is characterized by complex supply chain networks, fierce competitiveness, and small profit margins. But those manufacturers who can plan and predict demand for their product using AI are much more likely to gain a competitive advantage, maintain health and safety compliance, improve customer service and reinforce their supply chain. Cashmere Systems is powered by AI to deliver effective demand planning, traceability and inventory management software to food and beverage manufacturers. Cashmere also taps into the hyper-accuracy of blockchain technology to help keep tabs on where food comes from, and what went into it along the way. 

ROBOTICS

There has also been a rise in robotics within restaurant preparation. In March 2018, CaliBurgers’ Pasadena location started employing an artificial intelligence-driven robot, conceived by Miso Robotics. The robot, named “Flippy”, is capable of cooking burgers and placing them on buns, and is said to be capable of cooking up to 2,000 burgers a day, and is potentially a huge labor-saving innovation. “Flippy” has also been assisting human employees at the Chick ‘n Tots stand at Dodger Stadium.

Flippy working at Dodger Stadium. Image: Miso Robotics.

There’s no doubt that AI technology is poised to revolutionize the which food and drinks we consume, and how we consume them. With an expanding global population, we must strive for innovative processes, which harness the power of AI to improve sustainability. Many food manufacturers and restaurant owners are partnering with AI startups to implement innovative solutions, with the goal to increase productivity and save costs. Learn more about how Cashmere Systems can help your business thrive using the power of AI.