Everywhere I look I see people writing and talking about artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact it will have on our society. In the food industry, most authorities believe the incorporation of AI will be revolutionary. How, you ask? Here are some predictions for 5 years hence.

AI will take over mundane tasks. Particularly in the restaurant sector, AI can manage mundane, repetitive tasks for operators, such as tracking and monitoring food waste.

AI will help the industry better understand what consumers want. Traditionally, food and beverage brands have relied on things like sensory panels, market analysis, and real-world testing to inform new product development. AI could transform that, using data to analyze restaurant and delivery menus, social media interactions, and at-home recipes online to help identify market opportunities. 

AI can help with fruit and vegetable cultivation. AI-powered tech can improve logistics and quality control by forecasting things like weather impacts on produce and use robotic “grippers” to harvest fresh produce and identify quality defects.

AI may totally change your grocery store. While AI will not replace food stores, many predict food stores with AI-enabled technology will replace those without it. In-store navigation systems can help shoppers find what they are looking for. And for those with allergies, AI can be used to scan barcodes and inform consumers if a product is unsafe for them to consume.

These are just a few of the ways AI is likely to impact the food industry. Can you think of some others?