The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology paradigm that connects machines over the internet, enabling cyber-physical interaction and generating large amounts of data. Artificial Intelligence (AI) complements IoT by developing computer systems capable of tasks requiring human intelligence. The data-driven actions enhance efficiency, decision-making, and competitiveness across industries and organizations of all sizes. Countries worldwide, including the United States, China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and India, are investing in AI and IoT to enhance their manufacturing sectors. Machine Learning (ML), a subset of AI, involves building models from data using statistical algorithms. ML techniques are useful for solving complex problems and can lead to highly predictive fields in food science and process engineering.
Application areas of IoT/AI/ML in the food industry include (but are not limited to) data analysis, personalized nutrition, food quality control, flavor generation, food safety and traceability, product development, shelf-life prediction, food waste reduction, food fraud detection, consumer sentiment analysis and sustainable packaging. These technologies optimize processes, enhance food safety, and create innovative food products. As IoT, AI, and ML continue to evolve, their impact on the field of food science is expected to grow exponentially. We stand at an inflection point where IoT, AI and ML are expected to revolutionize the way we manufacture, consume, and interact with foods. However, the current efforts in this space remain fragmented. This motivates us to bring together a collection of contributions that illustrate the current state of the technologies and provide an exposition of the applications of AI/ML/IoT advancements in food science, engineering, and industry. Contributions in the form of original research and reviews in the aforementioned areas and beyond are highly welcome.
