The potential of artificial intelligence technologies is beginning to manifest across various sectors, particularly in the food and beverage industry. Hershey is among the pioneers in adopting this technology, utilizing it to perfect the formulation of their iconic Twizzlers. This initiative not only promises cost savings for the company but also generates significant media attention for their products. The ability to harness artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities for food manufacturers. Like many other brands, Hershey guarantees a specific weight for their products and cannot fall short of that commitment. Even minor discrepancies can lead to the need for overproduction to compensate for weight variations, resulting in considerable excess production—and financial loss—over time.
Additionally, innovative applications are emerging within the food industry. For instance, Wal-Mart has recently submitted a patent for a system designed to monitor consumer usage of various items, from toothpaste to shoes, automating reorders and suggesting complementary products. This technology would utilize sensors attached to products and could serve as a formidable competitor to Amazon’s Dash Buttons. Should consumers embrace this technology, it could significantly streamline the shopping experience, potentially eliminating the need for active reordering of household essentials like gluten-free items, calcium citrate supplements, diapers, and laundry detergent.
While the full realization of such a system is still on the horizon, the ultimate goal would be for everyday consumables to be reordered automatically, enhancing convenience for consumers. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its integration into the food and beverage industry could lead to transformative changes, making processes more efficient and saving manufacturers like Hershey from unnecessary overproduction.