Given the extraordinary recent developments in AI, it appears we are on the cusp of unleashing robot overlords whose first order of business will be to wipe out humanity. On the brighter side, this incredible technology will first deliver years (or possibly even a couple decades) of societally transformative tools capable of improving our lives. Indeed, AI has begun rapidly changing the landscape of many industries, and the food industry is no exception. From improving efficiency and safety to reducing costs, AI is set to revolutionize the food industry.

The scope and extent of AI's capabilities are functionally inconceivable. Already, we are developing and deploying applications capable of providing real-time monitoring and analysis of the entire food production process, from raw materials to finished products, capable of identifying deviations, inefficiencies, and soon pathogenic contamination. AI will soon be able to assess and identify potential hazards in food processing environments that we are not even aware of.

But, as AI technologies continue to come online, we must remain cognizant of the many significant risks, both human and machine. The near term risks involve AI malfunctions and glitches that may be difficult to identify. Users of ChatGPT may be familiar with this, insofar as it can give a remarkably cogent answer to a difficult question, but which may still contain critical inaccuracies. A similar and related risk is over-reliance on AI. Even if we had an AI capable of 99.99% accuracy, that 0.01% error rate could lead to devastating results. Thus, AI, for now, should be regarded as one of many tools that can collectively help us do better, while remaining cognizant that it cannot (yet) replace the expertise and judgment of human beings.

In the near future, AI-powered robots will likely assume responsibility for almost all aspects of food production, from farm to fork. The same will be true for most industries, including transportation, medicine, biotech, and—perhaps most concerningly—defense. As these AI systems integrate, which they will need to do, humanity will need to exercise extreme caution to ensure AI's outcomes align with humanity's interests. This is known as the "Alignment Problem," a term which will likely achieve household status in the months and years to come.

The implementation of AI creates almost limitless possibilities, with food safety among the most significant potential applications. While there are potential risks associated with the use of AI in food manufacturing, the benefits are similarly extraordinary. As with any technology, it is essential to approach the use of AI in food manufacturing with caution, finding the right balance between AI and human oversight to ensure food safety, at least until our robot overlords come calling.

Artificial intelligence is becoming real intelligence

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