Collaboration is key to unlocking AI’s full potential in the food sector
Article By Ojasvini Parashar Published November 19, 2024
Article Source: Collaboration is key to unlocking AI's full potential in the food sector - Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Panellists marked the benefits of AI adoption in driving efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in the F&B manufacturing industry.
At the recently concluded Canadian Spice Association annual convention, Food In Canada held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and its impact on the food and beverage industry. The discussion was moderated by Nithya Caleb, editor of Food In Canada magazine. Panellists included Josef Zankowicz, corporate development advisor at Canvass AI, Harjeet Bajaj, president and CEO of Savormetrics and Alexandra Barlow, VP of programs at Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN).
Decoding AI
The panellists explained what AI entails and how it distinguishes itself from conventional automation and robotics. Zankowicz depicted AI as “a software robot designed to do a very specific task,” capable of analyzing vast datasets to enhance intelligence and automate processes. Barlow elaborated on this, explaining that AI “empowers automation and robotics” by enabling them to execute more intricate decisions based on data analysis. Bajaj likened AI to “a neural network…designed to be more powerful than a human brain,” highlighting its problem-solving ability and capacity to make informed decisions from several inputs.
AI’s challenges
Further, the panellists addressed audience concerns surrounding AI, particularly the phenomenon of “hallucinations,” where AI systems generate inaccurate or misleading outputs. Zankowicz emphasized the importance of employing “focused AI agents for specific tasks to minimize hallucinations.” He also noted the industry’s movement towards “smaller language models to reduce costs and the likelihood of hallucinations.” Bajaj stressed the desperate need for “engineering solutions and human oversight to catch and correct AI errors,” especially in high-stakes applications like food safety and medical devices.
AI’s impact
The panellists also offered some real-world examples of AI adoption within the food industry. Zankowicz recalled a project with Ingredion where AI played a crucial role in “optimizing energy consumption in boilers, saving $700,000 per year.” “This AI implementation also improved production quality, leading to a $10 million annual impact,” he added.
Bajaj highlighted a project utilizing AI-powered vision systems to “detect defects in potatoes,” which helped a processor “reduce waste and improve efficiency.” Barlow mentioned ThisFish, which harnesses AI to “analyze data from various sources to improve salmon grading and identify business trends.”
Benefits and barriers to AI adoption
The panellists delved into the advantages and hurdles associated with integrating AI technology. Zankowicz acknowledged the significant “people challenge” in AI adoption, emphasizing the need for a dedicated champion within an organization to spearhead the initiative. He stressed the importance of leadership buy-in to effectively manage costs and navigate the implementation process. Barlow echoed this sentiment, saying, “You need a champion in the company.” She also highlighted the persistent reliance on manual processes in many businesses, advocating for a transition towards electronic data capture as a crucial first step towards leveraging AI.
Future solutions
The panellists recognised the potential for collaborative solutions to address sector-wide challenges and maximize funding opportunities. Barlow encouraged the Canadian Spice Association to embrace collaboration, particularly when dealing with shared issues that do not involve sensitive internal data. “If it’s a sector-wide problem, there’s an enormous opportunity to work collaboratively,” she said.
Zankowicz added that even if projects cannot be entirely funded, collaborative efforts can significantly reduce costs. “You can get close to maybe 80 per cent in funding,” he said. Bajaj encouraged attendees to check out related government funding programs to help offset new tech adoption costs.
While challenges remain, the panellists’ insights underscore the benefits of AI adoption in driving efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in the F&B manufacturing industry.