Every executive is asking and being asked, “What is your company’s AI strategy?” Discussed at business dinners and board rooms, the potential of AI to create better informed decision making, growth strategies and operational efficiencies has taken center stage, according to Anastasia Volkova at Forbes. “I think it’s time to shine a light on the uses of AI technology in one of the industries that touches every person every day —agrifood.”
Starting close to the consumer, Consumer Packaged Goods companies have been using AI to analyze large amounts of data to identify trends in consumer behaviors for some time. These AI-powered decision-support systems generate accurate predictions and recommendations based on historical patterns. Sophisticated and complex, the systems used by these consumer food market leaders consider a wide range of information.
Moving away from the consumer and more into the mechanics of the agricultural supply chains definitely requires the use of AI to enhance agricultural practices and sustainability. The agricultural supply chain is complex and often leverages aggregation and disaggregation of commodities at critical points across the chain.
This also makes it more resilient in the face of climate change and geopolitical conflict. This complexity makes it challenging for agrifood companies to collect data for all commodities produced globally, starting with the data on farming practices.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
There is no doubt AI is finding it’s way into every nook and cranny of our lives. Agriculture and the food system are not immune. This article does a good job of pointing out some ways AI is already being used to help processors, distributors and others be more efficient in targeting consumers. However, farmers/ranchers will likely be on the cutting edge of AI for everything from managing inputs, mapping cropping and livestock solutions, developing marketing strategies that maximize profits, etc. We see it already in precision agriculture with remote sensors and robotics. So, when you are contemplating the use of AI for your business, remember to visit with farmers in your area to determine how what you do will compliment or support what they are doing with AI. The more your strategy compliments theirs, the more opportunity you will have in the new AI world!
