How is AI influencing the Alcohol Industry?
Artificial Intelligence is influencing the alcohol sector in a big way. But just how is one of our oldest industries being transformed by our newest technologies?
To comprehend the scale to which AI could be impacting the sector in the (very much immediate) years to come, we can investigate its potential role in every stage of the alcohol consumption process. From generating the perfect brewing recipes, to pouring the perfect pint, AI and machine learning technologies are beginning to have a revolutionary effect.
Recipe Generation
In several leading alcohol companies, AI’s involvement is already evident from the very beginning of the creative process. For example, a Swedish single malt whiskey distillery, has incorporated machine learning algorithms to help perfect recipes. They feed these AI models data inputs such as existing combinations, sales statistics and customer preferences which, in turn, output millions of original ideas for potential recipes that are likely to be popular. A (human) master blender then tastes the final product and either affirms the recipe as a success or adjusts the combinations where necessary. As such, this is a terrific example of how AI and human expertise can work together to produce a quality creative product.Â
Brewing the Product
When it comes to production, we can call upon AB – a Brazilian-Belgian brewing company responsible for mainstream names including Budweiser and Stella Artois – to offer examples of how AI can lend a helping hand. They use state-of-the-art AI networks to help predict the quality of their final product.
Product Distribution
AB InBev has also found a use for AI in the development of strong customer relations – customers being the outlets and distributors that sell their products to the public. They feed a separate machine learning algorithm information on how much a given outlet purchases, sells and doesn’t sell over a set period. Learning from this input, the algorithm can then inform on the amount of stock that should be delivered to each outlet as well as the payment terms that would be appropriate given the
Buying the Product
In this modern age, and with the help of advances in AI technology, the way we purchase our alcoholic products is also changing.Â