AI is coming to the produce industry: What you need to know but didn’t ask

Throughout the 2023 Global Produce & Floral Show,?the Food Safety Tech X-Change?oversaw 30-minute sessions aimed at sharing challenges and solutions in an informal setting.?In this fireside chat?on Friday afternoon, Dr. Elliott Grant, CEO of Mineral, an Alphabet company, spoke with Vonnie Estes,?IFPA’s?VP of Innovation, about AI’s potential to reshape agriculture.

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With the fear of human jobs being lost to AI, robots, and other looming technologies, Dr. Grant noted that?our?mindset shouldn’t focus on employment, but “Look at all we can do now.”?After all, humans still have knowledge of topics AI does not, and vice versa.

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Estes?noted that companies will be able to use AI?at the retail level,?and?within the supply chain, but how will it evolve??Grant responded that?AI allows us to release ourselves from human limitations, but we’re still in its early stages.?For now, AI will begin with repetitive tasks, but companies must have data on hand to plan ahead for further implementation.

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Over time, Grant sees AI progressing?towards becoming a “background tool,” such as a computer or Microsoft Excel.?“Companies that use AI will replace the ones that don’t,” he warns. Companies must challenge themselves with what-ifs, as he sees it as the best way to get started.?Such questions may include:

??What’s the incentive to change?

??What’s the risk?

??How do we make this transition without “breaking the farm?”

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Executives must understand where the customer is, and where they want to them to be. From there, Grant suggests taking small steps to implement AI technology, in order to?make better decisions, and improve efficiencies.?

Any new technology can pose a variety of risks?and unintended consequences. With artificial intelligence’s reign looming, Grant concluded?by?saying companies shouldn’t be na?ve towards what’s ahead, and?to be thoughtful with their implementation of the new technological tool.