Recoding Food: AI as an operating system for the food industry (International Food Innovation Conference 2026)

Artificial intelligence is reorganising the food system from source to plate. Across research and development, manufacturing, and through autonomous systems, data-driven applications are pushing beyond the limits of traditional value creation. At the consumer interface, new ecosystems are emerging as retail, industry, and technology converge to deliver integrated solutions. In the future, those who control the data flows within this system will not only shape products and pricing, they will also influence the standards that define health, sustainability, and consumer trust. For the industry, AI is becoming a strategic lever for resilience, growth, and differentiation.

The 6th International Food Innovation Conference explores how a new generation of technologies is challenging the food system with a new set of rules. At its core are the strategic questions leaders must address now to safeguard innovative capacity and long-term competitiveness. Together with international thought leaders from academia, industry, retail, and technology, we will discuss the following key questions:

Innovation in R&D: How are AI-enabled development processes accelerating innovation cycles and reshaping future product portfolios as well as health and sustainability promises?
Intelligent Production: What does an autonomous production environment look like, where interconnected AI systems manage and monitor processes, energy use, quality, and food safety?
Customer Journey: How are manufacturers and retailers using AI-powered customer journeys to create highly personalised experiences? And how can data partnerships enable companies to become trusted health and sustainability partners without compromising consumer privacy or autonomy?
Resilience and Food Security: How can AI serve as a risk radar to safeguard raw material supply amid climate change, water scarcity, and geopolitical disruption?
AI Limits and Responsibility: Which governance, data, and talent strategies are needed to ensure the responsible use of AI in sensitive areas such as food safety, health claims, transparency, and regulatory compliance?

The International Food Innovation Conference is curated for decision-makers from the food industry and retail sector – from global FMCG players and brand manufacturers to retailers. It offers strategic insights for those seeking to understand AI as a lever for resilience, growth, and new value creation models, while also taking into account the social and ecological consequences.

The conference will be held in German and English.

Hashtag: #foodinno26