Japanese potato chip giant Calbee is teaming up with Silicon Valley venture capital firm Pegasus Tech Ventures to bring artificial intelligence to snack-making, Nikkei Asia has learned.
As Nikkei staff writer Yifan Yu reports, Calbee plans to invest in startups, with a focus on U.S. food tech companies, to help it develop healthier snacks, more efficient production lines and new business models.
“We can surely say that AI will be a game changer for Calbee’s businesses and the food industry,” a Calbee spokesperson told Nikkei Asia.
Anis Uzzaman, founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, said Calbee is exploring how AI can be used to optimize potato chip production and even create new AI-powered potato chip recipes. “AI can help shorten the R&D process by simulating product testing and consumer preferences, rather than relying on lengthy in-person testing. This can help Calbee bring new products to market faster,” Uzzaman said.
AI can also be used to analyze data on consumer habits, tastes and cultural preferences to help Calbee customize the thickness, crispiness, saltiness and spice levels of its potato chips for different demographics and markets.
Apart from AI, Calbee is also looking to invest in alternative food technologies such as plant-based and insect-based food products, an emerging trend in parts of Asia.
Source: Nikkei Asia. Read the full article here
Image: Credit Kotaro Suzuki via Nikkei Asia
Discover more from Potato News Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
