AI PathFinder | adoption of AI applications in the food industry

The AI PathFinder project aims to support Flemish food companies to develop an AI strategy, which will accelerate their AI adoption.

Context

Most food companies have understood by now that a digital transformation is necessary to grow and remain competitive. However, many companies are facing challenges when it comes to capturing the right data, identifying their key needs in terms of data and correct data processing. Choosing from the vast array of artificial intelligence (AI) options may seem quite an endeavour. If we disregard large companies for a moment, most food companies do not have the in-house expertise in the different digital options. Investing in AI? Sure, but how?

Objective

With the project, we want to explore, based on the needs and challenges of food companies, how AI can either or not add value and how machine builders, technology providers and food companies can successfully collaborate to facilitate future AI projects. It is a collective research, development and dissemination project (COOCK type) in which we spread the knowledge we build within the broad target group.

Target group

Technology implementations in the food industry are often not plug-and-play solutions. That is why we really want to involve all stakeholders in building know-how in terms of artificial intelligence options.
To develop AI solutions, you obviously need data. The availability of this data is important for food companies to improve their processes and product quality. This is why machine builders and technology suppliers are also involved in the project.
To make the results relevant for food companies, a supervisory group was set up consisting of food companies, technology providers and machine builders.

Results

Concretely, we want to accomplish the following:

• Develop an AI maturity scan and generic roadmap for AI implementation tailored to food companies.
• Set up proofs-of-concept illustrating the applicability of AI in the food industry.
• Develop a demo case in the pilot plant for the potato and vegetable sector, VEG-i-TEC in which we:
  • Document insights on the AI case approach
  • Display obstacles in the process, from which stakeholders can learn

With the results we develop, we want to lower the threshold to an artificial intelligence (AI) implementation and find out whether AI is indeed the best solution. The AI maturity scan allows food companies to see their current AI level. In addition, the insights from the proofs-of concept and the demo case in VEG-i-TEC reflect what food companies need? so that machine builders and technology providers can better align their products and services. In parallel with the project, you can always contact us to develop an idea together with us.

Funding

• Funding agency: VLAIO
• Funding framework: COOCK