--- title: Five things you need to know about the role of AI in agri-food description: Artificial intelligence (AI) might have been dubbed a gamechanger within agri-food, but does all the hype reflect reality?  Find out in this blog image: https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2473376713.jpg --- [CAREERS](https://www-dev.foodsconnected.com/careers/) [REGISTER](https://app.foodsconnected.com/Register.aspx) [YOUR ACCOUNT](https://app.foodsconnected.com/idsrv/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fidsrv%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%3Fredirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fapp.foodsconnected.com%252FLoginRedirect.aspx%26client_id%3Dcore%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Dcore%2520connected_api%2520offline_access%2520analytics_manager%26code_challenge_method%3DS256%26code_challenge%3Dy6zXsYnI20T4Zzc_s7HmDAt7OlhL2zujgcEkoUtd7sA%26state%3Dwomypx52%26prompt%3D) [![fc-logo](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Support%20site/fc-logo.svg "fc-logo")](http://foodsconnected.com) - [Our Solutions](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/) - [Food Compliance Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/compliance-management-software/) - [Safety Audits & Quality Management](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/safety-and-quality-management-software/) - [Food Procurement Management Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/procurement-supply-chain/) - [Food Specifications & NPD](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/specifications-and-npd-software/) - [CSR & Supply Chain Sustainability](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/csr-management-software/) - [Food Traceability Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/food-traceability-software/) - [Reporting & Analytics](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/food-software-reporting-tool/) - [HACCP Management Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/haccp-software/) - [Meat Processing Software Solution](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/meat-processing-software/) - [Our Services](https://www.foodsconnected.com/our-services/) - [Sectors](https://www.foodsconnected.com/sectors/) - [About Us](https://www.foodsconnected.com/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/?_gl=1*8p51p6*_gcl_au*NTI1NDc4NjczLjE3MzM3ODU3ODc.*_ga*MjE3OTA1Njg4LjE3MzM3ODU3ODU.*_ga_X4TZRQCH9W*MTczNjk0MTQ5NC45LjEuMTczNjk0MjY3NC41MS4wLjA.) - [Resources](https://www.foodsconnected.com/resources/) - [Support](https://support.foodsconnected.com/support/home?_gl=1*hrp5ae*_gcl_au*NTI1NDc4NjczLjE3MzM3ODU3ODc.*_ga*MjE3OTA1Njg4LjE3MzM3ODU3ODU.*_ga_X4TZRQCH9W*MTczNjk0MTQ5NC45LjEuMTczNjk0MjY4OC4zNy4wLjA.) [Request a Demo](https://www.foodsconnected.com/request-a-demo) ![Five things you need to know about the role of AI in agri-food](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2473376713.jpg) [Data & Reporting](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/data-reporting) [Food Industry Trends](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-industry-trends) [Artificial Intelligence](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) [Expert Insights](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/expert-insights) # Five things you need to know about the role of AI in agri-food By [Foods Connected](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/foods-connected) 31/03/2025 [Back](https://blog.foodsconnected.com) Five things you need to know about the role of AI in agri-food Share [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food&media=https://4895550.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4895550/Blog%20Imagery%20%28PI%20AUTOMATED%29/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2473376713.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food&media=https://4895550.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4895550/Blog%20Imagery%20%28PI%20AUTOMATED%29/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2473376713.jpg) [Back to main blog](https://blog.foodsconnected.com) Share [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food&media=https://4895550.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4895550/Blog%20Imagery%20%28PI%20AUTOMATED%29/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2473376713.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food&media=https://4895550.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4895550/Blog%20Imagery%20%28PI%20AUTOMATED%29/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2473376713.jpg) Artificial intelligence (AI) might have been dubbed a gamechanger within agri-food, but does all the hype reflect reality?   That’s what we wanted to find out when we commissioned a survey of 500+ senior professionals working across processing, manufacturing and retail, quizzing them on their current use of the technology, their views on its potential and what’s needed next.    To read the full report along with expert analysis [click here](https://marketing.foodsconnected.com/en-gb/ai-agri-food-report).   Short on time?   Here are our top five takeaways.   1. ## **Food and drink has embraced AI**  Though machine learning and [artificial intelligence (AI)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/ai-in-agrifood-navigating-implementation-with-stephanie-brooks) have played a role within agri-food for several years now, albeit a little under the radar, the last couple of years have marked a turning point in levels of adoption.   Of the 500+ businesses we surveyed, 70% say they already use or planning to use some form of AI across their operations, be it to optimise production lines, improve food safety or deliver more personalised customer experience (CX).    ![AI Whitepaper\_2025\_Stat4](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Post%20Images/Social%20Post%20Images/AI%20Whitepaper_2025_Stat4.png?width=420&height=525&name=AI%20Whitepaper_2025_Stat4.png) That the majority of food and drink businesses have now embraced AI in one form or another demonstrates unequivocally that we’ve gone beyond the experimental buzz that accompanied the viral launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 and into a phase of longer-term application.   In fact, our research also found that 89% of firms now have a dedicated budget for AI, illustrating the C-suite level buy-in that the technology has now achieved.   ## **2. But plenty of sceptics remain.**   Though AI has clearly won over many of its early critics, there’s still plenty of doubters when it comes to whether or not AI can truly deliver genuine change within the industry.   A little over a quarter (28%) of businesses told us they aren’t convinced that AI will have a positive impact or are unsure if it will, a lack of certainty that’s heightened among food manufacturers.   There are also different views on either side of the Atlantic.   While in the UK only a small proportion (4%) of firms say agri-food won’t be positively impacted, that rises to 17% in the US. This could reflect both a weariness of ‘corporate systems’ across US agricultural businesses, as well as more concerns around AI replacing human workers.   ![Stat7(AI report stat)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stat7(AI%20report%20stat).png?width=434&height=542&name=Stat7(AI%20report%20stat).png) For certain applications, these negative views are more pervasive. For example, fewer than 25% of food firms see AI’s potential for improving sustainability – despite a raft of AI-enabled technologies that can simply and streamline areas such as ESG reporting.   ## **3. Skills and digital readiness are set to be roadblocks **  Though 72% of businesses are mostly or highly digitised - and so in a good position to leverage AI-enabled technologies – that still leaves 28% that are only partially digitised or not at all.    Again, there are regional disparities here. As [our Traceability Survey](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/uk-us-attitudes-conversations-about-traceability) discovered, though both the US and US have similar amounts of work to do when it comes to achieving digital or data readiness, there are pretty big discrepancies in their willingness to get stuck in and do what’s required.   While in the UK 31% of businesses are embedding digitalisation into their future strategies, this drops to just 18% in the US, with an additional 20% saying they don’t plan to invest in digital processes at all.    If those attitudes don’t budge, businesses could soon find their lack of digital readiness precludes them from the full value that AI can provide.    Much the same applies to nurturing the right internal skills. A fifth of businesses currently lack a team dedicated to digital transformation, for example.   Yes, it might feel like a bit of a luxury but specialist skills on teams can be the difference between harnessing AI that is affordable, accessible and tailor made, and AI that is eye-wateringly expensive and off-the-shelf.   ![AI Whitepaper\_2025\_Stat3](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Post%20Images/Social%20Post%20Images/AI%20Whitepaper_2025_Stat3.png?width=426&height=533&name=AI%20Whitepaper_2025_Stat3.png)   ## **4. Agri-food needs extra support to harness AI**  AI adoption is still in its early days within food and drink.   It’s therefore no surprise that food and drink businesses are looking for additional support to help them navigate the rapidly evolving landscape.   Nearly two thirds (63%) told us they’d be keen to have access to additional funding streams and / or financial incentives to enable them to trial new technologies more freely, while 59% would like to see more training and support to help them understand how they can get the most out of AI.   These sorts of provisions shouldn’t only come from government or public bodies either.   There’s clearly a role for technology providers here too, both in providing technology-as-a-service models that better share the risk and cost of AI, and in working collaboratively with agri-food businesses on creating technologies that better match the specific needs of the sector.    ![Steph Brooks Quote\_AI WP](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Post%20Images/Social%20Post%20Images/Steph%20Brooks%20Quote_AI%20WP.png?width=421&height=526&name=Steph%20Brooks%20Quote_AI%20WP.png) ## **5. The next five years will be crucial**   The vast majority (96%) of agri-food businesses anticipate that AI will feature in their investment plans in the next five years, the majority of expenditure focused in the next one to three.   It’s an incredibly tight timeline within which businesses will need to ensure they’ve got all the foundations of data readiness, skills and support in place to achieve a positive ROI and validate applications.   And that makes the next five years something of a make-or-break for AI and its role within agri-food.    ![AI Whitepaper\_2025\_Stat2](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Social%20Post%20Images/Social%20Post%20Images/AI%20Whitepaper_2025_Stat2.png?width=428&height=535&name=AI%20Whitepaper_2025_Stat2.png)   --- **With the potential of AI being the biggest talking point of 2025 across the food and drink industry, we reached out to 500 businesses in the UK and US to find out how they plan to adopt AI to improve their operations, their aspirations for the technology and concerns****. Download our exclusive research report below to read the results. ** ## [![AI Whitepaper\_2025\_Blog CTA Banner](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4895550/interactive-188149446325.png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJCxbQXkukAurEOy8EDzJ2lPHdRNrv9OI4QdyCoAL2sCPvpsKxBYZsULO8DpzDx945VbiB7VLZPGXP5bDt6LdnHvus7GzIt3Psfp3QJfWeHuoMsH4PURP9Kjg9JUh3ehfn%2FlbTIGlThY%2BPeDmJA57Gr1dN7l3O2icDbH8M3Fjw6UHnxpFfOYSwofPoc4ozN2xocc7AkIHUMDYeYB%2BKQt3PS&webInteractiveContentId=188149446325&portalId=4895550) ![Foods Connected](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(32).png) ###### Foods Connected Foods Connected is an award-winning cloud-based software platform that simplifies the food industry supply chain, optimising spend and unlocking the data businesses need to excel. Fast to roll out and even easier to use, our tools help our customers manage and report on traceability, product lifecycle management, procurement, quality control and sustainability. [![Free AI report download](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Free%20AI%20report%20download.png "Free AI report download")](https://marketing.foodsconnected.com/ai-agri-food-attitudes-adoption-ambitions-foods-connected) ##### Stay up to date ### Stay up to date ##### Browse Posts Popular Recent Archive [![NPD in the food industry: 7 critical stages of new product development](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_1927957907%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/7-stages-of-food-product-development) [NPD in the food industry: 7 critical stages of new product development](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/7-stages-of-food-product-development) [![The importance of good manufacturing practice for food safety](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2474442759.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/gmp-in-food-industry) [The importance of good manufacturing practice for food safety](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/gmp-in-food-industry) [![Understanding the role of risk management in food safety](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_1845178195%20(2).jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/the-role-of-risk-management-in-food-safety) [Understanding the role of risk management in food safety](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/the-role-of-risk-management-in-food-safety) [![A guide to effective quality control in food manufacturing](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2133827717%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/quality-control-in-food-manufacturing) [A guide to effective quality control in food manufacturing](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/quality-control-in-food-manufacturing) [![The Best Food Allergy Apps and How They Work](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2247276303.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/the-best-food-allergy-apps-and-how-they-work) [The Best Food Allergy Apps and How They Work](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/the-best-food-allergy-apps-and-how-they-work) [![Five consumer food apps reshaping retail reporting and analytics](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/five-consumer-food-apps-reshaping-retail-reporting-and-analytics-blog-hero.png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-consumer-food-apps-reshaping-retail-reporting-and-analytics) [Five consumer food apps reshaping retail reporting and analytics](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-consumer-food-apps-reshaping-retail-reporting-and-analytics) [![The Real Cost of Poor Data Visibility in Protein Procurement](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Why%20Protein%20Procurement%20Needs%20Real-Time%20Data%20Visibility%20blog%20hero%20image.png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/the-real-cost-of-poor-data-visibility-in-protein-procurement) [The Real Cost of Poor Data Visibility in Protein Procurement](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/the-real-cost-of-poor-data-visibility-in-protein-procurement) [![AI in food supply chains: why visibility is where it's paying off](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/brcgs%20audit%20overlap%20shutterstock_2742316531.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/blog/ai-in-food-supply-chains) [AI in food supply chains: why visibility is where it's paying off](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/blog/ai-in-food-supply-chains) [![Building Food Supply Chain Resilience: A Guide for Procurement Teams](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/supply-chain-resilience-food-procurement-guide-hero-image.png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/supply-chain-resilience-food-procurement-guide) [Building Food Supply Chain Resilience: A Guide for Procurement Teams](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/supply-chain-resilience-food-procurement-guide) [![Foods Connected Acquires HarvestMark Quality Insights Platform](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/FOODS%20CONNECTED%20AQUISTION%20-%20DESIGN%20ASSETS%20-%20AUGUST%202026.png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/resources/foods-connected-acquires-harvestmark) [Foods Connected Acquires HarvestMark Quality Insights Platform](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/resources/foods-connected-acquires-harvestmark) - [September 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/09) - [August 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/08) - [July 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/07) - [June 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/06) - [May 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/05) - [April 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/04) - [March 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/03) - [February 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/02) - [January 2026](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/12) - [November 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/11) - [October 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/10) - [September 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/09) - [August 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/08) - [July 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/07) - [June 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/06) - [May 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/05) - [April 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/04) - [March 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/03) - [February 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/02) - [January 2025](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2025/01) - [December 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/12) - [November 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/11) - [October 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/10) - [September 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/09) - [August 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/08) - [July 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/07) - [June 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/06) - [May 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/05) - [April 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/04) - [March 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/03) - [February 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/02) - [January 2024](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2024/01) - [December 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/12) - [November 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/11) - [October 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/10) - [September 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/09) - [August 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/08) - [July 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/07) - [June 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/06) - [May 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/05) - [April 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/04) - [March 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2023/03) - [December 2022](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2022/12) - [November 2022](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2022/11) - [October 2022](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/archive/2022/10) Sidebar ### Related Posts [![Digital food safety management: 5 reasons to adopt a QMS](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/Digital%20Food%20safety%20management%20system.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/digital-food-safety-management-why-its-essential-in-2025) 13 min read [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [Digital food safety management: 5 reasons to adopt a QMS](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/digital-food-safety-management-why-its-essential-in-2025) By [Foods Connected](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/foods-connected) on 17/06/2025 Food businesses need to demonstrate due diligence, uphold good manufacturing practice and adopt a digital Quality... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/digital-food-safety-management-why-its-essential-in-2025) [![Back to our roots with Duncan Spencer-Brown](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/Duncan%20Spencer%20Brown.png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/back-to-our-roots-with-duncan-spencer-brown) 1 min read [Back to Our Roots](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/back-to-our-roots) [Company News](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/company-news) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [Back to our roots with Duncan Spencer-Brown](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/back-to-our-roots-with-duncan-spencer-brown) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 22/01/2024 Our Customer Success & Operations Director, Duncan Spencer-Brown joined us in 2017. In this month's back to our roots... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/back-to-our-roots-with-duncan-spencer-brown) [![Deploying data and tech to boost resilience in global food and drink](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_2362078849.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/deploying-data-and-tech-to-boost-resilience-in-global-food-and-drink) 3 min read [Supply Chain Management](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/supply-chain-management) [Data & Reporting](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/data-reporting) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [Deploying data and tech to boost resilience in global food and drink](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/deploying-data-and-tech-to-boost-resilience-in-global-food-and-drink) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 21/06/2023 Rarely has the global food and drink sector faced such a period of greater instability. First we had COVID-19. Then the... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/deploying-data-and-tech-to-boost-resilience-in-global-food-and-drink) [![The FSMA 204 Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water: how will it affect your business?](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/The%20FSMA%20204%20Final%20Rule%20on%20Pre-Harvest%20Agricultural%20Water%20how%20will%20it%20affect%20your%20business.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/fsma-final-rule-pre-harvest-agricultural-water) 10 min read [Traceability](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/traceability) [FSMA 204](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/fsma-204) [Regulations](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/regulations) ##### [The FSMA 204 Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water: how will it affect your business?](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/fsma-final-rule-pre-harvest-agricultural-water) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 28/08/2024 In May the FDA published its long-awaited Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Final Rule. We analyse what it means for the... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/fsma-final-rule-pre-harvest-agricultural-water) [![FSMA 204 refresher: everything you need to know with one year to go](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_1313461523.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/fsma-204-one-year-to-go) 12 min read [FSMA 204](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/fsma-204) [Regulations](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/regulations) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [FSMA 204 refresher: everything you need to know with one year to go](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/fsma-204-one-year-to-go) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 17/01/2025 With the January 20, 2026 deadline just one year away, we review why the bill was formed, how businesses are feeling... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/fsma-204-one-year-to-go) [![What is digital food safety and how can it be managed?](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/HubSpot%20original%20files%20(DO%20NOT%20DELETE)/1.%20HubSpot%20Images/Thurs%2013th%20-%20Blog%205%20graphic2.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/digital-food-safety) 6 min read [Supply Chain Management](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/supply-chain-management) [Traceability](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/traceability) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [What is digital food safety and how can it be managed?](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/digital-food-safety) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 04/09/2023 Digital technology has become crucial to maintaining food safety visibility and transparency in the workplace. Here we... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/digital-food-safety) [![Who is responsible for implementing food safety management systems?](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/Digital%20Food%20safety%20management%20system.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/who-is-responsible-for-food-safety-management) 8 min read [Supply Chain Management](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/supply-chain-management) [FSMA 204](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/fsma-204) [Regulations](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/regulations) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [Who is responsible for implementing food safety management systems?](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/who-is-responsible-for-food-safety-management) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 03/11/2023 In this article, we summarise where the responsibilities lie for managing safety and regulatory compliance across the... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/who-is-responsible-for-food-safety-management) [![Your 8 must-attend food industry events for the rest of 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/shutterstock_604958933.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/h2-2023-the-food-industry-must-attend-events) 11 min read [Supply Chain Management](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/supply-chain-management) [Industry News](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/industry-news) [Regulations](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/regulations) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [Your 8 must-attend food industry events for the rest of 2023](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/h2-2023-the-food-industry-must-attend-events) By [Aoife](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/aoife) on 08/08/2023 With so many industry events happening every year, it can be difficult to know which ones will be most beneficial for... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/h2-2023-the-food-industry-must-attend-events) [![Industry Voices with Scott Hanna](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/BLOG%20HEADERS%20-%20Correct%20Size%20(32).png)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/industry-voices-with-scott-hanna) 5 min read [Expert Insights](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/expert-insights) [Industry Voices](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/industry-voices) [Food Safety & Quality](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/food-safety-quality) ##### [Industry Voices with Scott Hanna](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/industry-voices-with-scott-hanna) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 13/08/2024 In the next in our Industry Voices interview series, Invest NI’s Senior Business Development Manager for the UAE talks... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/industry-voices-with-scott-hanna) [![FSMA 204: How to prepare with help from Foods Connected](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Blog%20Imagery%20(PI%20AUTOMATED)/Blog%20Headers/The%20FSMA%20204%20Final%20Rule%20on%20Pre-Harvest%20Agricultural%20Water%20how%20will%20it%20affect%20your%20business.jpg)](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/how-to-prepare-for-fsma-204) 6 min read [Traceability](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/traceability) [FSMA 204](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/fsma-204) [Regulations](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/tag/regulations) ##### [FSMA 204: How to prepare with help from Foods Connected](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/how-to-prepare-for-fsma-204) By [Greer McNally](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/author/greer-mcnally) on 19/09/2023 Organizations have begun auditing food traceability systems to prepare for FSMA 204. Learn how Foods Connected can help... [Continue Reading](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/how-to-prepare-for-fsma-204) ### Stay up to date [![footer-logo-1](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/footer-logo-1.svg "footer-logo-1")](http://foodsconnected.com) ![](https://www.foodsconnected.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mintec@4x-8.png)  ![footerawardlogos-1](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/footerawardlogos-1.png?width=340&height=167&name=footerawardlogos-1.png)  ![Deliotte2022\_Top50-1](https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/Deliotte2022_Top50-1.jpg?width=340&height=162&name=Deliotte2022_Top50-1.jpg)   ###### Company - [Our Services](https://www.foodsconnected.com/our-services/) - [Solutions](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/) - [Sectors](https://www.foodsconnected.com/sectors/) - [About Us](https://www.foodsconnected.com/about-us/) - [Support](https://support.foodsconnected.com/support/home) - [Request a Demo](https://www.foodsconnected.com/request-a-demo/) - [Careers](https://www.foodsconnected.com/careers/) - [Resources](https://www.foodsconnected.com/resources/) ###### Solutions - [Food Compliance Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/food-compliance-software/) - [Safety Audits & Quality Management](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/safety-audits-quality-management/) - [Food Procurement Management Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/food-procurement-management-software/) - [Food Specifications & NPD](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/food-specifications-npd/) - [CSR & Supply Chain Sustainability](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/csr-supply-chain-sustainability/) - [Food Traceability Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/food-traceability-software/) - [Reporting & Analytics](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/reporting-analytics/) - [HACCP Management Software](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/haccp-management-software/) - [Meat Processing Software Solutions](https://www.foodsconnected.com/solutions/meat-processing-software-solutions/) ###### Contact Us - Ground Floor, Old City Factory, Patrick Street, Londonderry, BT48 7EL - [info@foodsconnected.com](mailto:info@foodsconnected.com) ###### Locations Derry | Belfast | Sydney - [Privacy Policy](https://www.foodsconnected.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.foodsconnected.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Modern Slavery Act](https://www.foodsconnected.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Modern-Slavery-and-Human-Trafficking-Statement-2021.pdf) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.foodsconnected.com/cookie-policy) - [Diversity and Inclusion Policy](https://www.foodsconnected.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Diversity-Inclusion-Policy.pdf) © 2025 Foods Connected. All rights reserved. - - - - ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "alternativeHeadline" : "How AI is reshaping food production, traceability, sustainability and supply chain resilience", "articleSection" : [ "Artificial Intelligence", "Agri-Food", "Supply Chain Technology" ], "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Roger McCracken" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-15T00:00:00+00:00", "datePublished" : "2024-10-15T00:00:00+00:00", "description" : "From farm automation and predictive analytics to food safety, sustainability and labour efficiency, this article outlines five key things food and agri-food businesses need to know about adopting AI responsibly and effectively.", "headline" : "Five things to know about AI in the agri-food industry", "image" : "https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/shutterstock_1702279184%20(1).jpg", "keywords" : [ "AI in agri-food", "artificial intelligence food supply chain", "AI and sustainability", "predictive analytics food", "food safety AI", "precision agriculture", "agri-food technology", "AI traceability", "agri-food labour challenges", "future of food technology" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.foodsconnected.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/footer-logo-1.svg" }, "name" : "Foods Connected" }, "url" : "https://blog.foodsconnected.com/five-things-to-know-ai-agri-food" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "AI is being used across farming and food production to automate labour-intensive tasks, optimise inputs like water and fertiliser, analyse environmental data, predict crop yields, detect risks and improve food safety. From precision agriculture to smart processing facilities, AI helps producers operate more efficiently while maintaining high safety and quality standards." }, "name" : "How is AI currently being used in the agri-food industry?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "AI helps food businesses monitor and reduce waste, improve energy and resource use, and better understand the environmental impact of production processes. By building sustainability metrics directly into daily operations, AI makes it easier to collect data for reporting, forecast risk, identify improvement opportunities and meet corporate sustainability and regulatory requirements." }, "name" : "How can AI support sustainability in agri-food supply chains?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "AI supports stronger food safety systems by identifying risks earlier, flagging anomalies and improving traceability. Machine learning models can detect spoilage patterns, contamination signals and non-compliance in real time, helping businesses strengthen monitoring, avoid incidents and reduce the likelihood of costly recalls or safety issues downstream." }, "name" : "How does AI improve food safety and quality?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes. With ongoing labour shortages across farming, processing and logistics, AI-powered automation can help reduce the pressure on staff while improving consistency, productivity and safety. By digitising inspections, monitoring and admin tasks, AI frees teams to focus on higher-value activities rather than manual, repetitive work." }, "name" : "Can AI help address labour shortages in food and agriculture?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Before adopting AI, businesses should understand the problem they want to solve, ensure high-quality data is available, consider the ethical implications, evaluate cost versus value, and ensure they have the right governance processes in place. Starting small, piloting tools and building confidence in the technology helps ensure long-term, responsible and effective implementation." }, "name" : "What should businesses consider before implementing AI?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Foods Connected helps businesses prepare for AI adoption by centralising data, improving data quality and building the digital foundations required for advanced analytics. With integrated modules for traceability, compliance, sustainability and supply chain insights, the platform helps teams start using AI responsibly and unlock efficiency, transparency and decision-making benefits." }, "name" : "How can tools like Foods Connected help with AI adoption?" } ] } ```