A viewpoint on the role of artificial intelligence in food processing and production: promise, pitfalls, and the path forward

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential of being used in food processing and production across multiple dimensions that could include process optimisation, quality control, supply-chain efficiency, sustainability, and product innovation, among others. However, the rise of AI and its use is often met by criticism and scepticism due to a number of ethical, socioeconomical and technical challenges. Therefore, this viewpoint aims to explore how AI technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, predictive analytics, and robotics can be used in enhancing operational performance and meeting the growing demands for safe, nutritious, and sustainable food systems. Herein, key challenges of AI that include issues to do with the quality of data in addition, standardization, algorithmic bias, and transparency; job displacement and workforce transformation; cybersecurity and data privacy risks; and regulatory and ethical uncertainty are addressed. An evidence-based roadmap for responsible and inclusive AI adoption in the food sector are also addressed, where human-AI collaboration are explored as well as the need for interdisciplinary research, ethical design, robust governance, and education discussed. In this work, we show that even though AI holds promise to revolutionizing food production and processing similar to what mechanization did in the 20th century, its benefits will only be realized if its deployment and use in food industry is guided by values of transparency, ethical use, fairness, and sustainability. As such this work aims to contribute to the existing knowledge on the use and application of AI in food processing and production and its impact on food systems.