The food industry is increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of its operations. Moving beyond simple document creation and data searches, companies are now employing AI for product planning based on consumer trend analysis, identifying overseas buyers, and even directly controlling production equipment.
According to industry reports, CJ CheilJedang is using its specialized AI platform, 'Food AI 360', for product planning and development. This platform analyzes market and consumer trends to refine new product ideas and suggests product direction and packaging designs. It also assesses expected consumer reactions before launch, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
An example of AI's impact is the 'Matcha Hetbahn' product, launched in June. AI analyzed the sustained interest in matcha and the consumer trend towards health and convenience, leading to the development of this product concept. Similarly, the 'Bibigo Salmon Steak' was created in response to the diversification of protein consumption towards seafood, achieving sales of 1.4 million units within six months of its release.
AI is not only determining what products to create but also when to purchase raw materials. CJ CheilJedang has established a 'Global MI Room' to analyze market information in real-time, including raw material prices, exchange rates, oil prices, and weather conditions. For instance, during the 2023 El Niño concerns, the company used simulations to delay the purchase of certain raw materials, avoiding high prices.
In international sales, AI has begun to replace the extensive market research that previously took hours. Lotte Chilsung Beverage has implemented a generative AI-based system for identifying new overseas buyers. The AI agent investigates market conditions and regulations in target countries, finds potential clients and contacts, and even compiles reports. This process, which used to take over 50 hours, has been reduced to about three hours with AI.
AI in production has evolved from making judgments to directly controlling equipment. Paldo is currently establishing an AI-based autonomous manufacturing system at its Naju plant, which produces bibim-myeon, Wang Topokki, and lunch boxes. The AI analyzes production data in real-time to predict noodle thickness and set optimal production conditions, continuously managing key components like moisture and fat content.
Notably, when production changes, AI automatically adjusts the equipment settings based on product-specific conditions, eliminating the need for manual input by workers. This 'Physical AI' assesses the production environment and applies appropriate conditions, marking a shift from merely assisting human judgment to directly intervening in the manufacturing process.
In the food service sector, AI's role has expanded to include hygiene, safety, and ingredient management. Ourhome has piloted AI technology from Hanwha Vision in some of its food service locations. AI cameras in kitchens monitor compliance with hygiene protocols and detect unusual noises or temperatures to prevent safety incidents like fires.
For ingredient management, the company plans to implement a customized supply chain management (SCM) system that uses camera-based barcode and image recognition technology to automatically register incoming stock and predict future needs for automatic ordering. AI cameras will analyze user-preferred menus to improve meal planning, and Ourhome is also considering automation in cooking in collaboration with Hanwha Robotics.
AI is also being utilized for creating and verifying food labeling information. Ourhome has introduced its own 'Integrated Food Label Management Solution' to digitize product ingredient names, allergy information, and nutritional content, automating related tasks. Using optical character recognition (OCR) technology, the company reads labeling images from market products to build a database, which generative AI then uses to draft labeling information for each product. The system also automatically compares product information posted online with standard data to identify any changes or omissions.
Internally, companies are shifting from generic AI services to specialized applications tailored to their specific operations. Seoul Milk plans to use its proprietary generative AI platform, 'Seoul Milk GPT', for tasks such as data summarization, internal knowledge searches, accounting system integration, data analysis, and research support. Dining Brands Group has also implemented its own enterprise AI platform, 'DynaI', for all employees, supporting inquiries, document summarization, internal document searches, and various HR and IT functions.
An industry insider noted, "Initially, the focus was on reducing time spent on simple tasks like document creation and data searches. Recently, however, there has been a trend towards developing tailored AI applications that meet the specific needs of operational environments. The adoption of AI is expected to accelerate in key areas that directly impact business competitiveness, including product development, production, sales, and supply chain management."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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