What is it?
Machine learning is defined by IBM as “a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.” In other words, the system collects data and learns from it on its own by creating algorithms. The main goal of machine learning is to make learning easier and faster, while gaining accuracy in data analysis, with little or no human intervention.
Why you should care
There are numerous applications for machine learning. This technology has notably allowed the development of voice and image recognition systems, and has been used by social media to optimize user experience through customized advertising and news feeds. In the food industry, machine learning can be used to:
- Determine and track the changing taste preferences of different customers.
- Analyze inventories, transportation times, and raw material price fluctuations to adjust ingredient purchasing to ensure timely supply, better pricing and less waste.
- Optically sort ingredients according to their physical characteristics and freshness to determine their best use. For example, to determine if a potato should be made into french fries or chips.
- Identify factors that affect the performance of production equipment and predict maintenance needs before problems arise.
- Jointly analyze the food preferences, purchasing habits and consumption patterns of a restaurant or caterer’s customers to help build the menu and manage inventory.
- Help facilitate more efficient, cost-effective and time-efficient dispatching of drivers for food and meal delivery.
- Create unique recipes from available ingredients.
- Detect odours and other characteristics affecting food safety.
Opportunities in Canada
Most companies producing AI solutions are also developing machine learning technology. Here are a few examples of local and international companies specializing in this field. See our article on AI for more companies working in AI and machine learning.
GastrographAI is a New York, NY-based company that has designed the first AI platform to interpret and predict flavour preferences for more than a billion unique consumer groups.
Attabotics, a Calgary, AB-based company offering the world’s first 3D robotic supply chain system, specializes in supply chain automation and e-commerce optimization on a global scale. One of its Canadian partners, FoodX Technologies, offers a scalable end-to-end eGrocery Management Solution (eGMS) designed to meet the needs of large and small grocery retailers while providing profitable unit economics. Its mission includes enabling retailers to eliminate plastics, minimize food waste and reduce costs while creating a healthier food ecosystem.
FGF Brands describes itself as a technology company that bakes. The company uses advanced robotics, integrated artificial intelligence and machine learning to custom engineer processes around each product to improve recipes, operational efficiency, and production capacity.
Dana’s Take:
Adding connected and automated technology based on AI and machine learning can help food executives to overcome challenges such as labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, higher input costs, and changing consumer expectations. As a marketer, this consumer insight is very exciting; it will make positioning and targeted selling more accurate than ever before!
Meanwhile, the costs of implementing machine learning enabled systems such as robotics have fallen, while performance and consistency have increased dramatically. (For more insight on how robotics are changing food operations, see Robotics in Action – Top Five Takeaways.)
If you have a digital solution to make supply chains safer and more agile, apply for our Food Innovation Challenge. Applications are due July 7th.
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