Jeff Cioletti, in the article in Beverage Industry magazine, published on January 2, 2024, “The Present and Future of AI in Beverage Delivery,” explores the transformative role of AI in beverage delivery: current developments and future horizons. Tom Moore, the CEO of ProvisionAi, helped Jeff to dig deeper.

2023 has left an indelible mark as the era when artificial intelligence (AI) seamlessly entered mainstream discourse. Far from the dystopian visions of robotic dominance, AI discussions pervaded various industries, from entertainment to consumer packaged goods.

Although specific AI applications like self-driving vehicles are still on the horizon, many fleets are already utilizing AI functionalities, often unbeknownst to them.

Tom Moore, the visionary behind the supply chain-centric firm ProvisionAi, emphasizes that AI’s impact extends beyond futuristic concepts like self-driving trucks. 

In the specific domain of AI in beverage delivery, ongoing research is centering on optimizing load management. ProvisionAi’s study for a beverage company demonstrated that strategic load planning can yield approximately 5% savings. Moore underscores the significance of subtle weight differences between similarly-sized cans of different beverages, showcasing how exploiting such nuances can enhance operational efficiency and trim costs.

An additional area where AI could be pivotal in optimizing the intricate picking process during the transition from side loaders to rear-load vehicles. Moore contends that current technologies offer rudimentary instructions like “pick here, go here,” falling short of addressing the complexities of constructing stable pallets with varying bottle and can sizes.

This challenge intensifies with the surge in Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), particularly within the beer industry, where distributors manage an extensive array of brands and flavors. Moore underscores the imperative for AI solutions to facilitate seamless transitions in loading processes. Furthermore, AI holds promise in streamlining inbound deliveries by prioritizing unloading based on the urgency of specific SKUs. Moore acknowledges the intricacy of this task, noting that AI could enhance decision-making processes, mainly when dealing with a plethora of SKUs on supplier trucks.

In summary, the landscape of AI in beverage delivery is rapidly evolving, with current applications ranging from safety technologies to an expanding focus on load optimization. As the industry grapples with picking processes and SKU diversification challenges, AI emerges as a potential panacea to augment efficiency and meet the demands of an ever-evolving supply chain.