Artificial intelligence, or AI, is more than just a buzzword; it is transforming the way food and beverages are manufactured and packaged. However, we have only seen the very beginnings of the profound changes this technology will bring, according to AI made simple – Turning intelligence into action in the F&B industry, a recent white paper from industrial technology company ABB.
The paper says AI is forecast to have a market size of US$208.5bn by 2025. AI is defined as a system that uses algorithms to recognise patterns in objects or information. Once the machine does this, it can then classify and sort. “Machines are far more effective and consistent at low-level pattern recognition, but humans retain the advantage in terms of high-level strategic pattern recognition and conceptual thinking that takes factors beyond data into account,” the paper says.
AI is already playing an important role in optimising food quality and safety, making processes faster, more efficient and better at identifying irregularities. It is also creating new opportunities through new applications, and freeing workforces from routine tasks so they can do tasks that machines cannot do.
But the current technology has only just begun to realise the potential latent in this “partnership between human and machine intelligence”.
“AI promises to transform food and beverage facilities into smart factories, moving towards a highly responsive, adaptive, and connected manufacturing model,” the paper says.
“AI is not solely responsible for every aspect of these improvements. Instead, it is one component in a game-changing suite of Industry 4.0 technology. The end goal is intelligent automation, a holistic approach that integrates human workers, robotics, process automation systems, and AI.”
The benefits
This technology can already enable safer and more accurate production lines with greater speed and efficiency than could be accomplished with humans.
With measurement and monitoring capabilities, AI can have a significant impact on waste reduction, the paper says. “Rather than waiting until the end of a batch or cycle to check the quality of output, AI that uses real-time monitoring can identify anomalies as they occur,” the paper says.
Hygiene is another area where AI has potential. The paper points to an example in the UK where a self-optimising clean in place system is being developed.
New technology, different approaches
As AI becomes more powerful, it will be able to solve more and more problems. The challenge then is for food and beverage businesses to figure out how to put it to use to deliver the greatest value.
“If decision makers are to build a robust business case for AI, they must first start with the right questions,” the paper says.
“These could include: how can AI be integrated with new and existing robotics? How can it improve competitiveness and increase throughput? How does it drive down costs, increase margins, or grow revenues?”
Packaging is an important area in the food and beverage industry where AI can play a transformative role.
The paper says, as an example, AI can play a vital role in optimising pallets and loads.
“For example, an industry-leading dairy produces around 1.5 billion plastic yoghurt containers a year, all of which used to be manually checked for shape, material distribution, wall thickness and weight every 30 minutes,” the paper says.
If a fault was detected, the anomaly needed to be removed manually, and, in a worst-case scenario, everything since the last measurement would also be removed from production. An AI and robotics-powered in-line quality check avoids all of these potential pain points by removing the need for any manual interference, using a faster, fully-automated approach.”
The challenges
While there is a high degree of interest in AI, the paper says there are few stories of “successful value capture”. Seventy per cent of companies have reported little or no return on their AI investments to date, the paper says, noting that it is not necessarily an indication of AI’s value, but a reflection of the time and mindset required to deploy it successfully.
“Instead of thinking solely in terms of project-centred goals, decision makers’ strategy should be holistic across the business,” the paper says. “This means careful consideration of what business transformation means for your organisation. It is only through this kind of specific reflection that you can effectively prepare your people and data infrastructure for a new way of working.”
To learn more, you can read the white paper in its entirety. Click here to download AI made simple – Turning intelligence into action in the F&B industry in PDF form from ABB’s website.
