The Food Tech Event in the Brabanthallen on 20 and 21 May in ’s-Hertogenbosch once again showed how fast technological developments in the food sector are following. The fair showcased a wide range of solutions: from robotisation and vision technology to digital factories and AI-driven quality control. What was particularly striking was that these technologies are no longer just for big players. They are becoming more accessible, affordable and practical, allowing companies of all sizes to get started with them.
For large food companies, AI is mainly a way to make existing automation smarter and more flexible. Many production lines have been running for years on fixed logic and complex systems that are difficult to adapt. AI can support these structures by making processes self-learning, recognising deviations automatically and planning maintenance predictably. This creates a production environment that is less dependent on manual controls and can respond faster to changes in demand, product variants or regulations.
For medium-sized companies, AI offers opportunities especially to take steps that were previously out of reach. Automation was often too expensive or inflexible, but AI solutions are lighter and easier to implement. Think of AI cameras that recognise quality defects without expensive vision installations, or AI-driven scheduling software that optimises production sequences based on historical data. These kinds of applications help companies work more efficiently without large investments or lengthy implementation processes.
For smaller manufacturers, AI is mainly a tool that supports daily operations. These are not robotic arms or complex systems, but digital assistants that help with administration, label control, stock management or preparing quality documents. These applications are low-threshold, require little technical knowledge and can save time immediately. Thus, AI becomes a practical addition to existing work, without having to change processes completely.
What became clear at the show is that AI is not meant to replace humans, but to make existing systems smarter. Where traditional automation works with fixed rules, AI works with patterns. This allows it to deal more flexibly with variation in products, processes and circumstances. This makes companies less dependent on external integrators and expensive custom software, as many AI applications can be managed and adapted internally.
The barrier to getting started with AI is lower than ever. Many tools are user-friendly, affordable and quick to test in a limited environment. Companies do not have to invest on a large scale right away; choosing one process and trying out an AI solution on it is often enough to gain insight into the possibilities. This way, AI grows with the organisation step by step, instead of the other way around.
The Food Tech Event showed that AI is evolving from a specialist tool to a practical technology that can be widely used in the food sector. Large companies are using it to enhance existing automation, medium-sized companies to work more efficiently and small companies to simplify daily tasks. The technology is more accessible than ever, making this a logical time for companies to explore the role AI can play in their own processes.
Source: https://industrievandaag.nl/voedselproductie-food-tech-event/
