A one-day conference examining how data and artificial intelligence are being applied across the UK food and drink sector is to take place at AMRC Cymru this summer.
Hosted by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with EFFP and Zühlke, the event brings together engineers, digital specialists and industry representatives working on manufacturing and supply chain challenges.
The conference is titled ‘The digital imperative – Transforming the food and drink industry with data and AI’ and takes place on Wednesday, June 17, from 9am to 5.30pm.
It is positioned against a backdrop of ongoing pressures for the sector, including supply chain disruption, labour shortages and rising energy costs, alongside requirements to meet Net Zero targets.
Sessions across the day will focus on four areas identified as key pressures for manufacturers: managing volatility and costs, achieving Net Zero, supply chain resilience, and the application of AI and automation.
The agenda includes keynote speeches on data maturity in the UK food and drink sector from Judith Batchelar OBE, Co-Chair of the Food Data Transparency Partnership, and Steven Steer, Principal Data Consultant at Zühlke, followed by a panel examining interoperability challenges, data standards and capability gaps.
Further sessions include a live demonstration of AI tools for prototyping, a discussion on lessons from regulated industries featuring David Elliman, Chief of Software Engineering at Zühlke, and a panel on food security and supply chain resilience with representatives from organisations including the Food & Drink Federation, Menter Môn, Oscar Mayer Foods and Pudding Compartment and Arla Foods.
The event will also include a fireside discussion on moving from fragmented value chains to connected data ecosystems, alongside scheduled networking sessions and lunch, with the opportunity to tour the AMRC site.
Opening and closing remarks are to be delivered by Andy Richardson MBE, Chair of Frive and Partner at EFFP and Food & Drink Wales Board.
The event is open to delegates from across the food and drink sector. Attendance is ticketed. Booking is via this event link.
