Generative AI set to be pressing priority for food manufacturers in 2025

ISHIDA EUROPE has reported a spike in interest in generative artificial intelligence (AI), especially when it comes to quality control and improving performance in food manufacturing factories. 

"We are speaking to food manufacturers every day, from global conglomerates through to start-ups, and almost everyone we have spoken to is interested in leveraging AI to help their business and food production lines to perform better," said Ian Hodgson, systems general manager at Ishida Europe.

AI solutions to streamline food production

"Reducing downtime, maximising throughput and improving OEE are especially high on food manufacturers’ agendas going into 2025. Generative AI is perfectly positioned to help with these goals. This form of AI is advancing rapidly and means food manufacturers can rely on software capable of automatically tapping into an ever-expanding knowledge base, feeding back on production issues, and potentially solving these issues without an operator’s intervention. Ultimately, this type of AI transforms a production monitoring system from one merely capable of identifying a fault with a piece of equipment, to a system that actively solves problems and prescribes optimisations in food factories."

Ishida Europe debuted its new AI-enabled remote monitoring and production software, Sentinel 5.0 at this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing exhibition in Dubai.

Sentinel 5.0 leverages generative AI to offer predictive maintenance and troubleshooting solutions. The system’s AI-driven anomaly detection highlights issues, triggering the AI to offer solutions and detailed reports that assist operators proactively, before the issue becomes a bigger problem that may introduce potential downtime.

Driving new efficiencies in food manufacturing

"The new Sentinel 5.0 production monitoring platform can learn the normal behaviour of your machines, send alerts for deviations, and even detect cross-machine issues if one problem affects others in the line," Hodgson added.

Operators can also interact with Sentinel 5.0, asking questions about machine issues and troubleshooting methods, and the software can potentially provide step-by-step guides to remedying specific production issues.

"AI integration not only streamlines maintenance tasks but also allows manufacturers to maximise productivity through enhanced machine performance and reduced downtime. Ultimately, the AI-driven data insights can inform food manufacturers of areas for improvement, whether that’s machine to machine, or from shift to shift, or even from product to product, and it provides more joined-up thinking," he explained.

One of the wider challenges that the food industry faces when it comes to adopting new technology and innovation is capital cost. Recognising this, Ishida Europe has made it as seamless and cost-effective as possible for new and existing customers to upgrade and adopt Sentinel 5.0. Ian also highlights that food manufacturers could see a payback on their investment in AI in a matter of months.

For more information:  

www.ishidaeurope.com

Tel: +44 (0)121 6077700