AI is taking over R&D: What this means for the food industry

The Rapid Rise of AI in Food R&D

A new report by agritech consultancy Bright Green Partners reveals that roughly 90% of food and beverage R&D leaders routinely use artificial intelligence. Driven by intense market competition where nearly three-quarters of leaders have seen rivals beat them to store shelves, companies are turning to AI to streamline new product development. With AI costs dropping significantly and autonomous experimentation projected to account for nearly 20% of NPD time by 2030, adoption is accelerating.

Data Security and Workflow Challenges

Despite the clear benefits, integrating AI into food science comes with notable risks. Companies are deeply concerned about exposing sensitive test results and proprietary formulations to external AI models. To mitigate these risks, organizations are deploying enterprise-grade security environments, building internal solutions, or enforcing strict contractual safeguards. Additionally, companies must bridge fragmented internal knowledge and establish cross-functional ownership between R&D, IT, and business teams rather than relying on isolated pilot projects.

The Human Edge

While automated systems and cheaper AI tools are reshaping the industry, human expertise remains irreplaceable. Because off-the-shelf AI tools are accessible to everyone, a company's unique human insight provides the actual competitive edge. The most successful food companies are starting small to identify bottlenecks, demonstrating clear value, and thoughtfully reimagining their workflows to thrive in an AI-driven market.