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Artificial Intelligence: An ally for the development and growth of the food industry
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the food and beverage industry is transforming every aspect, from service personalization to the creation of sustainable food alternatives. However, as this technological advancement progresses, it is crucial for entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in this sector to not fear the changes that AI might bring. Contrary to common belief, AI does not aim to replace jobs but to optimize, monitor, and improve processes, making decision-making more informed and efficient.
Given the widespread lack of understanding about AI, it is not surprising that one of the most common fears among entrepreneurs is that its implementation could displace workers. However, we must avoid falling into this paradigm without first recognizing the advantages AI can bring to various gastronomic sectors, as it is designed to complement and enhance human work, not replace it.
AI as an Ally, Not a Substitute
In an industry like gastronomy, AI translates into a series of tools that help restaurants offer more personalized and efficient service without eliminating jobs, thereby fostering greater customer loyalty.
One of the most promising applications of AI is service personalization in restaurants. Cluvi, a Colombian startup that will be present at Alimentec 2024, has developed a technological solution using AI to enhance the customer experience, strengthen loyalty, and consequently, increase profitability.
“This is a unique AI tool applied to the restaurant industry, based on data collected by each restaurant. Using this information, entrepreneurs receive suggestions about diners' preferences, their opinions on dishes and the venue, average spending, and trending products in the market, among other insights,” said a Cluvi spokesperson. This information could be vital in minimizing the economic risk of losing a customer.
“For businesses like these, it can be between 5 and 25 times cheaper to retain a frequent customer than to attract a new one. Similarly, a frequent diner can represent a 15% to 65% increase in sales,” added Fabián Carrillo, CEO and founder of Cluvi.
With the advent of AI in various gastronomic sectors, entrepreneurs have found in it a tool to optimize processes and improve decision-making. Instead of relying on intuition or limited data, restaurateurs can use precise and up-to-date information to adjust their menus, manage inventories, and design more effective marketing strategies. This can attract more customers, enhance operational efficiency, and improve resource planning, ultimately reducing costs and increasing profitability.
New Food Alternatives Thanks to AI
Furthermore, AI’s role in the gastronomic sector extends beyond process optimization, as this technology is playing a crucial role in creating new food alternatives that could shape the future and become another avenue within this industry.
Companies like NotCo are at the forefront of this revolution. This pioneering company in creating foods with the help of AI developed ‘Giuseppe,’ an algorithm that works integrally with three groups: scientists, chefs, and developers. Giuseppe has the ability to analyze animal foods at a molecular level and develop plant-based products that nearly perfectly mimic the taste, texture, and nutritional value of their animal counterparts. This approach not only aims at food security but also offers new food options without compromising what we love about food: flavor.
“Our mission is to reinvent some of the most consumed foods worldwide by studying animal foods at a structural level (molecular, physical, and chemical) to find which plant-based ingredients to combine and how to combine them to replicate that same product, all from natural and 100% plant-based sources,” said Agustín Londoño, Director of NotCo Colombia.
AI is redefining the gastronomic industry. Its potential to optimize processes and decision-making, improve customer experience through service personalization, and create new food alternatives, among other applications, are compelling reasons to view AI as an ally. It enables people to focus on more creative and strategic tasks that can drive the growth of this industry.
Learn more about innovations in the food and beverage sector on our social media @feriaalimentec and join our upcoming Instagram Live with NotCo and Cluvi, where we will delve deeper into AI as a growth tool for the food, beverage, and Horeca sectors.
