Hot Topics Studio: Assessing Transformative AI Tools for Food Manufacturing: Operations, Safety and Trust

AI tools are increasingly used to summarize information, interpret data, and support decisions across every business sector including food safety, quality, and regulatory functions. But not all AI is designed for high-risk, compliance-driven work. This session examines how food industry professionals can critically evaluate AI tools—distinguishing general-purpose models from purpose-built, validated systems intended for regulatory and safety decision making. Through an expert-led conversation, panelists will discuss where AI can add value, where it introduces risk, and what questions organizations should ask before relying on AI-generated outputs. The focus is practical judgment, data integrity, and responsible use, not technology hype.