Less than a a quarter of food firms recognise the role that AI can play in driving sustainability, a new report by Foods Connected has claimed.
According to the AI Adoption, Attitudes, and Ambitions within the Agri-food Sector report, which surveyed more than 500 leaders across the food industry, 70% of food businesses have adopted some form of AI in their operations, but its role in tackling ESG-related issues is still lacking.
Supporting ESG goals
“We were surprised to see that many businesses don’t currently recognise the potential for AI in supporting ESG goals, considering AI’s capacity to enhance data capture and optimise supply chains to support sustainability goals,” commented Stephanie Brooks, head of research and innovation at Northern-Ireland-based Foods Connected.
“AI is at a critical turning point for the food sector in 2025. We know AI can optimise production, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences – but that’s just the beginning.”
Closing the skills gap
Other findings from the study indicate that three fifths (59%) of respondents believe that further investment in education is necessary to close the ‘skills gap’ related to AI, while 96% of food firms plan to invest in AI to some degree over the next five years.
‘As the sector shifts from early-stage trials to long-term investments, the focus is increasingly on integrating AI into supply chains in safe, secure, and sustainable ways,’ Foods Connected said.
It added that advancements in generative AI, including large language models (LLMs), are transforming customer experience, product development and supply chain efficiency, and have the potential to enable businesses to meet their sustainability targets.
“Education and addressing the skills gap are key for leaders now when investing in digital infrastructure,” Brooks added. “AI providers have an important role in educating the industry on this potential. ROI from digital technology isn’t always immediately apparent, so it’s crucial for technology providers and data experts to help businesses understand how AI and data can be leveraged strategically, making ROI clearer and reducing entry barriers for those wanting to truly digitise.” Read more here.
