November 07, 2023
Artificial Intelligence: A game changer for the food and beverage sector
From the US President Joe Biden to King Charles to Paul McCartney, everyone seems to be talking about artificial intelligence (AI).
In October, 65 highly engaged participants from industry, government and academia rigorously debated how AI is changing the food and beverage sector at the first FaBA round table.
Hosted by FaBA’s Innovation Pathways Program, the round table considered the impact of AI across the value chain. Professor McColl-Kennedy, the Innovation Pathways Program Lead, said that all aspects of the F&B sector potentially would be impacted.
“From F&B production, through innovative food design, to manufacturing, logistics and distribution, food services, and enhancing the consumers’ food experiences are all being impacted by AI, as is the drive to design responsible and resilient food systems. It’s a real game changer and companies will need to understand and work with AI, if they want to thrive into the future,” she said.
Melissa Witheriff, Australian Innovation Lead, Avanade, said the impact of AI would be “truly transformational”.
“When we think about the impact of AI on the F&B industry, we think about not only how it will be a co-pilot in decision making, but also provide a synthesis of complex information to move forward, make change and improve benefits for all.”
Round table guests discussed seven topics:
- Transforming food production with AI led by Professor Mark Cooper and Professor Lee Hickey
- Embracing AI for innovative food design led by Professor Esteban Marcellin
- Optimising food manufacturing with AI led by Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal and Professor Heather Smyth
- AI for improved food logistics and distribution led by Professor Ashish Sinha and Professor Damian Hine
- AI transforming food services led by Dr Andy Lee
- AI enhancing consumers’ food experience led by Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy and Associate Professor Len Coote
- AI for designing responsible and resilient food systems led by Professor Ryan Ko
Researchers are developing a White Paper based on the round table discussions that will identify key challenges, opportunities and recommendations for policy and practice. It is expected to be released in early 2024.
Watch a video from the day here.