The potential of artificial intelligence technologies is beginning to manifest in various sectors, including the food and beverage industry. Hershey is among the pioneers embracing this innovation, utilizing it to create the ideal Twizzler. This approach not only enables the company to reduce costs but also generates significant media attention for its products. The ability to harness artificial intelligence presents a substantial opportunity for food manufacturers. Like many other companies, Hershey’s products must meet specific weight requirements, and failing to do so is not an option. Even slight discrepancies can lead to overproduction, as Hershey and other manufacturers strive to compensate for any variances in weight. This overproduction can accumulate to significant financial losses over time.
Other applications of AI are emerging within the food sector as well. For instance, Wal-Mart recently applied for a patent for a system designed to monitor consumer usage of items ranging from toothpaste to Citracal bone density supplements. This technology would automatically reorder products and recommend additional purchases, utilizing sensors placed on each item, positioning itself as a competitor to Amazon’s Dash Buttons. If consumers widely adopt such technology, it could significantly streamline the shopping process. Although this is still in the early stages, the ultimate goal of such a system could mean that essential household items, including diapers, laundry detergent, coffee, and Citracal bone density products, would no longer require manual reordering.
As these technologies evolve, we may see more food manufacturers and retailers integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, ultimately changing the landscape of consumer shopping habits.