Artificial Intelligence in the global food supply chain
The taste of AI
A better future
The dawn of a new era for the global food ecosystem
The agricultural and food supply chain stands on the brink of a groundbreaking transformation, inspired by a vision of a better future. As our world grapples with the urgent challenges of feeding a growing population and protecting our planet, a wave of innovation is sweeping through the fields and farms, promising to reshape our approach to food production.
Today, industry leaders are integrating advanced technologies like IoT, AI, and blockchain into the food supply chain. These advancements enable real-time crop monitoring, enhanced supply chain traceability, and data-driven decision-making. As a result, resource use is optimized, yields are increased, and food safety and trust are bolstered.
Precision, transparency and sustainability
Advanced technologies, revolutionizing agriculture
The possibilities extend far beyond current implementations. Envision precision farming on a global scale, where every field is equipped with IoT sensors and AI analytics, ensuring optimal resource use and maximizing productivity. Imagine blockchain technology offering unprecedented transparency, allowing consumers worldwide to trace their food’s journey from farm to table, fostering trust and ensuring safety.
Sustainability practices such as regenerative agriculture and urban farming are gaining momentum, transforming how we grow food by restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing the environmental footprint. These methods are already enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our food systems. Looking ahead, widespread adoption of these practices could revolutionize food production, making fresh, local food readily available and significantly reducing environmental impacts. ai in the food industry
Blockchain traceability
Growth of plant-based food market
Regenerative agriculture
Personalized nutrition and
sustainable food choices
Continuously evolving consumer preferences
Consumer preferences are also evolving, with a growing demand for healthier, personalized food options. Innovations in genomics and data analytics are paving the way for personalized nutrition plans that cater to individual health needs. The rise of plant-based and lab-grown foods offers sustainable and ethical alternatives to traditional meat products, transforming dietary habits and improving overall well-being.
Reimagining the future of food
Fostering a healthier, sustainable and innovative food ecosystem
As we stand at the threshold of this new era in agriculture and food production, the possibilities are endless. The marriage of technology and sustainability is not just transforming how we grow and consume food—it’s paving the way for a future where our food systems are more efficient, resilient, and attuned to the needs of our planet and its people.
Together, we are cultivating a legacy of innovation and care, ensuring that future generations can thrive in a world where food is abundant, safe, and sustainable. This is our moment to reimagine the future of food, and it’s a journey we undertake with passion, purpose, and unwavering hope. a
ai in the food industury
*The Future of Food. (2023). HSBC. Retrieved from https://www.research.hsbc.com/C/1/1/320/WgCK7Wv%0A%0A.
Accelerating value: how an AI-Driven planogram transforms shelf strategy
In just two days, Inspire11 developed an AI planogram demo to deliver rapid value for a consumer packaged goods client.
Using detailed data sets and artificial intelligence, the demo illustrates how product shelf placement impacts daily sales and highlights potential revenue changes.
This proof of concept demonstrates the power of AI in enhancing business decision-making and can serve as a foundation for future innovations, guiding the development of more advanced solutions.
AI in the food industry
How we are partnering to transform the
global food supply chain
Cultivation and Harvesting
Built and implemented a custom production planning optimization model in Azure Databricks.
Cut the 18-month scheduling time from 8 weeks to 3 days, optimizing supply production to meet demand while reducing costs.
Consistently receiving high-quality plants and products that are fresher and more sustainably grown, enhancing consumer purchasing experience and satisfaction.
Built a predictive analytics platform to transform commodity trading by providing real-time insights and advanced forecasting.
Increase year-over-year contract gains by over 15% and trading teams consistently selling within 5% of peak market prices.
Reduced price volatility and helped to ensure reliable access to essential resources, enhancing global economic stability and food security.
Manufacturing
Transformed demand forecasting by rewriting 200,000 models and integrating Generative AI.
Down to 1.5% variance in weekly forecasts.
Enhanced operational agility that ensures consumers have consistent access to their favorite products even during market fluctuations.
Revolutionized supply chain efficiency by developing advanced data science tools.
Quantified business value and reduced customer order cuts.
Increasing reliability of products and minimizing stockouts, ensuring consumers always find what they need.
Leveraged GenAI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to enhance product innovation and streamline operations.
Accelerated innovation cycle, reduced time-to-market, and improved operational efficiency with sustainable, scalable automation.
Enabled faster product launches, driving growth and ensuring consistent delivery of new, on-trend products to meet evolving consumer demands.
Created an advanced analytics platform that turned employee insights into actionable strategies.
Reimagined its strategy, aligned on a cohesive change and transformation plan, and made significant moves in its digital transformation journey
A cultural shift towards agility, where employee insights drive strategy, fostering continuous innovation, improved customer experiences, and sustained market advantage
Distribution
Implemented advanced scenario-based economic modeling and a comprehensive BI modernization program.
$50M cost reduction
Enhanced operational efficiency, leading to better prices and a more reliable supply of food for restaurants and foodservice providers.
Developed the first smart trailer with FleetPulse, an integrated telematics solution that uses real-time trailer data and predictive analytics to enhance fleet management and streamline maintenance.
Achieved over 1 billion safer miles
Revolutionized global transportation by driving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and fostering sustainability through intelligent fleet management.
Enhanced profitability by harnessing AI-driven analytics to optimize inventory, pricing, and promotional strategies.
Recovery of multiple millions in margin, by automatically and precisely pinpointing instances of underpriced goods.
Unmatched access to the right products, at the best prices, exactly when they need them, creating a seamless and satisfying shopping experience.
Retail and Service
Developed a roadmap to transform how innovation tests are set up, run, and analyzed to boost efficiency, scalability, and impact.
Accelerate innovation, improve decision-making, and drive faster market responsiveness and competitive advantage.
Consistently receiving high-quality plants and products that are fresher and more sustainably grown, enhancing consumer purchasing experience and satisfaction.
Developed a modern microservice architecture for a new Commerce Platform, which supports online ordering for restaurants.
Helped deliver a platform that successfully processes hundreds of millions of transactions annually.
Ensures a seamless, efficient, and secure digital ordering experience for millions globally, continuously evolving to meet customer needs.
A closer look
By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain, we're helping reshape the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed worldwide—ensuring a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable future for our food systems. Explore the stories behind the impact we're making in feeding the world, one breakthrough at a time.
Transforming CPG demand forecasting with AI
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, faced unprecedented challenges in demand forecasting due to rapidly shifting consumer behaviors. Initially seeking a solution for an AI project, the company’s engagement with Inspire11 quickly expanded as we identified critical issues within their forecasting models and broader data science practices.
Technologies Used: #Azure #Databricks #Snowflake
Modernizing procurement to capture cost savings
One of America’s leading food distributors was grappling with inefficiencies in their replenishment organization, where approximately 450 buyers manually managed purchases. This labor-intensive process was not only costly but also hindered operational efficiency. To address these challenges, US Foods partnered with Inspire11 to implement a comprehensive solution aimed at modernizing their procurement processes and driving significant cost savings.
Technologies Used: #Blue Yonder
Enhancing supply chain with data science
A privately-held global manufacturer of food, confectionary and pet products, sought to enhance their supply chain efficiency and resilience. Faced with supply chain disruptions and the need for better strategic direction, our client turned to Inspire11 for advanced data science solutions to address these challenges.
Technologies Used: #Python #SQL #Power BI
Accelerating product development with GenAI
A leading cheese manufacturer embarked on a journey to enhance their data analytics capabilities and drive innovation in product development. Facing challenges with scattered data across different systems and a need for a streamlined product development process, the company turned to Inspire11 for strategic advisory and cutting-edge AI solutions.
Technologies Used: #AI/ML models #Predictive Analytics
What’s possible with AI in the food industry
These advancements provide scalable, resilient solutions that drive sustainability and efficiency across the food industry. As technology and sustainability converge, the future of food production is set to be more efficient, resilient, and responsive, transforming what’s possible into a reality of abundance and innovation.
AI-powered demand forecasting
Our advanced AI models predict consumer behavior with unparalleled accuracy, allowing you to anticipate market trends and adjust your strategies in real time. By integrating external datasets such as weather patterns, industry trends, and social media insights, we provide a holistic view of the factors driving demand. This enables you to optimize inventory, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Generative AI for product innovation
Leverage the power of generative AI to revolutionize your product development process. Our tools assist your R&D teams in generating innovative product ideas, predicting consumer preferences, and rapidly iterating prototypes. This accelerates the time-to-market for new products and ensures they meet the evolving tastes and needs of your customers.
Sustainable supply chain optimization
Our AI-driven supply chain solutions focus on sustainability and efficiency. We help you minimize environmental impact by optimizing logistics, reducing energy consumption, and ensuring ethical sourcing. By using predictive analytics, we identify potential disruptions and provide actionable insights to maintain a resilient and sustainable supply chain.
Smart pricing analytics
Stay ahead of the competition with our sophisticated pricing analytics. By integrating and normalizing data from various sources, we provide real-time insights into pricing strategies and market positioning. Our self-service BI dashboards empower your team to make informed decisions, adjust prices dynamically, and maximize profitability.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for efficiency
Automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks with our RPA solutions. Our bots streamline operations across departments, from generating reports to managing data entry, freeing up your workforce to focus on strategic initiatives. This not only improves efficiency but also enhances accuracy and reduces operational costs.
Data-driven strategic insights
Our expertise in data science enables us to turn complex data into actionable insights. We help you uncover hidden patterns, forecast future trends, and make data-driven decisions that drive growth. Whether it’s through advanced analytics, machine learning, or AI, we provide the tools and strategies you need to stay ahead in a competitive market.
Next-Generation consumer engagement
Harness the power of AI to enhance your customer engagement strategies. Our solutions analyze consumer data to provide personalized experiences, targeted marketing campaigns, and predictive customer service. This fosters loyalty, increases retention, and drives long-term growth.