I'm sure you're familiar with protein's recent surge in popularity. Artificial intelligence is transforming the way in which food products, especially protein-based ones, are created. ICL's article about FoodTech writes that "AI and computational design now identify viable proteins in days, not months, supporting a new wave of B2B ingredient companies supplying fermented proteins and functional materials across the value chain." Thus, AI is contributing to protein's spike in popularity and its domination of the food industry. Furthermore, a klinegroup article supports this by stating that "the pace of AI-driven competition is accelerating, pushing more companies to adopt these tools at an exponential rate."
In fact, AI is dominating every stage of the value chain, from sourcing, to production, to distribution and marketing/sales. As time moves forward, AI will only become more deeply integrated into all parts of the consumption cycle.
In 2025, one of the world's largest chocolate manufacturers began a partnership with NotCo AI to integrate AI into the development of their chocolate products. Another recent incorporation of AI tools in the value chain is the Magnum Ice Cream Company's partnership with NotCo AI. In 2025, the company released a statement; "Partnering with NotCo allows us to explore how advanced AI tools can help us solve complex formulation challenges faster and more precisely, while keeping consumer needs at the heart of everything we do." It is evident that artificial intelligence is most useful in creating a more efficient production process, as well as developing an understanding of individual consumers' preferences. Thus, most recently, AI tools have revealed individual preferences to be deeply engrained in protein goods- contributing to the "protein mania" trend. There are numerous articles surrounding this "protein mania," as a PBS News article, about how protein is the new cultural obsession, questions how much protein humans really need. In fact, the article writes about how "95 percent of Americans don't get enough fiber," so focusing on protein is likely not the optimal method of improving the American diet.
Interestingly, Walmart has recently partnered with OpenAI to create AI-first shopping experiences; this allows customers to shop directly through ChatGPT utilizing features such as instant checkout. Also, Alpro has recently added QR-enabled packaging on all of its plant-based products. These QR codes take consumers to an app which "educates users on plant-based nutrition through interactive, gamified experiences," the klinegroup writes. This has been named a "phygitial experience."
In addition to accelerating sourcing and production, AI is used by most companies in order to assess consumer preferences and develop a greater understanding of individual tastes. One example of this is Hims & Hers Health's Lab's use of an app to showcase an AI-powered "personalized wellness solution by combining biomarker-based blood testing with doctor-developed action plans and tailored lifestyle guidance to make preventive healthcare accessible and actionable."
In terms of the future of AI's integration in the value chain, the klinegroup predicts that "personalization will remain the industry’s north star," as companies will only continue to deepen their understanding of individual consumer preferences and produce consumer goods accordingly.
Deloitte's article on AI-orchestrated product design is about the use of AI tools to assist in end-to-end design of consumer packaged goods. This article encapsulates the future of AI in facilitating end-to-end food product design. Similarly to how "agentic AI systems can orchestrate the entire product design lifecycle," they have and can do so for food products. How do you think the food industry will transform further in the next few months? Or years?
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