The Role of Artificial Intelligence Tools in the Confectionery Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key driving force behind the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation. The 2023 Central Economic Work Conference emphasized the need to vigorously advance new-type industrialization, develop the digital economy, and accelerate AI development. In recent years, the deep integration of AI into the food industry has injected fresh momentum into its growth. According to data released by market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the value of AI applications in the food and beverage market is projected to reach US$29.94 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of over 45.77% from 2021 to 2026. As AI becomes fully embedded across all segments of the food industry, how to objectively assess its positive contributions and potential adverse impacts has become a central topic of intense debate among industry stakeholders and academics alike.

Designing formulations, creating packaging designs…

Artificial intelligence has been integrated into the entire value chain of food brands.

At the beginning of 2023, artificial intelligence—led by ChatGPT—made a powerful entrance, giving rise to a wave of “AI+” innovation across multiple areas of the food industry, including marketing, packaging, and product development.

“Artificial intelligence technology holds vast application prospects and significant market potential in the food and beverage industry, playing a crucial role across all stages—research and development, production, sales, and quality control. AI can enhance operational efficiency, thereby helping companies optimize their sales models, transform product R&D and innovation processes, and fundamentally reshape the competitive landscape of the food and beverage sector,” said Guo Tao, a senior AI expert.

Earlier, Coca-Cola’s global creative platform, “Joyful Innovation Without Boundaries,” unveiled a brand-new limited-edition product: the first sugar-free Coca-Cola—“Future 3000”—powered by artificial intelligence. According to reports, AI technology was integrated into every stage of the product, from flavor development and packaging design to brand promotion.

At the same time, numerous food brands are leveraging artificial intelligence as a key enabler of their digital transformation, continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Nestlé is among the earliest food and beverage companies to enter the AI space, empowering its employees with generative AI to support daily operations and boost productivity. At the end of 2023, McDonald’s announced a partnership with Google to deploy generative AI for analyzing and optimizing the massive volumes of data generated by thousands of restaurants, with the aim of further enhancing store-level operational efficiency.

Artificial intelligence is ushering in a disruptive technological revolution in the food industry. Beyond providing support in everyday office operations, AI is demonstrating remarkable efficiency and ingenuity in accelerating new-product development, generating innovative ideas, and precisely capturing consumer taste preferences.

In October 2022, Kraft Heinz launched an AI-powered plant-based cheese.

In March 2023, Zhong Xue Gao launched an ice cream product marketed as “AI-powered end-to-end creation,” leveraging AI technology to automate the entire process—from naming and flavor selection to packaging design and product promotion.

In April, Yili launched six milk packaging designs created using artificial intelligence, each aligned with one of six key themes: “technological sophistication, natural vitality, Eastern aesthetics, futurism, minimalism, and innocence.”

In May, Wang Lao Ji launched its first batch of AI-designed canned products: the “Millennium Landscapes Can,” the “Mountain Stream Moonlight Can,” the “Climbing High to Gaze at Autumn Can,” and the “Azure Pines Soaring to the Clouds Can.”

A representative from Wang Lao Ji once stated: “In the production and design phases, artificial intelligence technologies can deliver more diverse creative and technical support; and in fields like design—where creativity is paramount—companies can also leverage AI tools to efficiently bring their ideas to life.”