Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take center stage when The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place from July 14 to 17.

More than 17,000 attendees from around the world are expected to experience more than 100 Science FIRST sessions and multi-disciplinary discussions focused on groundbreaking scientific research and solutions in novel technology and innovation, health and nutrition, sustainability and climate, food safety, and consumer insights and education. 

Meanwhile, popular attractions such as the Startup Pavilion and The Pitch, the latter a multi-stage rapid-pitch competition spanning three days where startups compete for prizes totaling $15,000, will be back. 

The Innovation Lab and the Braindate Lounge will also return. 

“The Startup Pavilion is an exciting opportunity for innovative startups from across the globe to showcase their solutions to investors, key decision-makers, and industry stakeholders that they may not otherwise have access to,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “The Startup Pavilion encapsulates this year’s IFT FIRST theme of collaboration and innovation as we highlight game-changing products and applications with the potential to transform the food system.”

Regarding AI, Justin Honaman, Head of worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods Go-To-Market at Amazon/AWS, along with Nora Khaldi, founder and CEO at biotech company Nuritas, and Asch Harwood, vice president of Data & Insights at ReFED, will deliver the opening keynote address on “Revolutionizing Food Innovation Through AI.”

Honaman, Khaldi, and Harwood will provide attendees with the powerful synergies between AI-driven innovation and the global science of food community. The keynote, which will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Monday, July 15, will reveal groundbreaking advancements in predictive analytics, precision engineering, biotechnology, and product development, all while exploring the future of a technology that has the power to revolutionize the global food system.

“Artificial intelligence has the power to massively change the way the global food system operates. Many recognize AI’s immense value but are unclear on how or when to incorporate it, which is why IFT is launching a series of pre-event and onsite educational opportunities where attendees can learn from some of the top AI experts in the world, including our opening keynote speakers,” notes Tarantino-Dean. “Justin, Nora, and Asch will leverage their leadership experience at industry-disrupting organizations to show how companies of all sizes in the science of food community can use AI to innovate new products, quickly solve problems, and transform the global food system at large.”

Beyond AI, ultra-processed foods, food as medicine, the future of the FDA, food insecurity, and climate change will be among other major topics addressed during the tradeshow. 

“We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to conquer the many challenges facing our food system today and in the future. Representing key regulatory agencies, disruptive consumer and business-to-businesses, and innovative initiatives, the keynoters and speakers at IFT FIRST are at the cutting edge of several facets of our global food system. IFT is excited to welcome these leaders to our event so they can share their indispensable knowledge, insights, and ideas with the IFT community,” Tarantino-Dean concludes.

IFT is a global organization of more than 11,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food.