IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo to Spotlight How AI Is Advancing Healthy-Driven Food Innovation

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific association committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is focusing on the future of artificial intelligence in food. In particular, how AI is advancing health-driven food innovation while also addressing sustainability and food security. IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, the leading food science and innovation expo returns to McCormick Place in Chicago July 12-15 and will feature extensive programming and exhibitions focused on the next-generation of AI-supported food innovation.

The Artificial Intelligence Keynote, “Designing with Intelligence: Practical AI for Faster, Smarter, Safer Food Innovation,” is being held Wednesday, July 15, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. CT, and will feature Alon Chen, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Tastewise, sharing real-world use cases where AI is converting consumer signals into science-based decisions for product developers and R&D leaders. The keynote which will provide valuable insights around product development, course design, research, policy, and environmental health is hosted by Jay Gilbert, PhD, the visionary behind CoDeveloper, IFT’s proprietary AI-powered, science-backed R&D platform.

CoDeveloper was created by food scientists to deliver proven considerations into the product development process, accelerating formula development and overcoming technical roadblocks. And it’s the only R&D solution that seamlessly pairs the computing speed of AI with IFT’s 85-plus years of peer-reviewed research and published content. Since its debut at IFT FIRST 2025, companies across the food industry have discovered how CoDeveloper supports their teams by accelerating their R&D efforts using trusted science. This year, the CoDeveloper booth will be located in the AI and Technology Pavilion.

“AI is already reshaping nearly every part of the food ecosystem and it’s here to stay. The advantage will go to teams that use it to amplify expertise, not replace it. AI can speed formulation, strengthen quality and consistency with predictive tools, and turn consumer signals into better decisions, but only when it’s built on trusted data, validated by humans, and guided by strong governance,” said Jay Gilbert, IFT Director of CoDeveloper and Digital Products. “IFT FIRST attendees will get to experience first-hand what comes next with AI and how can they better leverage it for product development, technical problem solving, insights and operations.”

AI SESSIONS at IFT FIRST

• “Foundations of AI in Product Development”
  • Sunday, July 12 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• “Designing AI Workforce Literacy for Food Systems: A Practical Blueprint for Smart, Accessible Training”
  • Monday, July 13, 11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. CT
  • Speaker:
    • Hanyu Chen, Purdue University

• “From Artificial to Affective Intelligence: Teaching Technology to Taste Emotion”
  • Monday, July 13 – 2:15 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
  • Speaker:
    • Constantinos Pantidos, Brand Aviators

• “How Are Emerging AI Tools Transforming Food Innovation End-to-End, From Consumer Understanding to Scaled Innovation?”
  • Tuesday, July 14, 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. CT
  • Hosts:
    • Jacob Smith, RTI International
    • Cindy Stewart, Innovative Food Science Consulting LLC
  • Panelists:
    • Pelin Thorogood, Radicle Science
    • Anshul Dubey, PepsiCo
    • John Ennis, Aigora

• “The Energy Edge: Leveraging IoT-Driven AI to Power Energy Efficiency in Food Production”
  • Tuesday, July 14, 12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. CT
  • Speaker:
    • Pedro Medina, Haystack Data Solutions

• “Artificial Intelligence in Food Science and Nutrition: A Discussion with IFT’s Journals Editors”
  • Tuesday, July 14, 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CT
  • Moderator:
    • Richard Hartel, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Speaker:
    • Chang Chen, Cornell University

• “Product Innovation in the Age of AI: A Hands-On Workshop”
  • Wednesday, July 15 – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• “Assessing AI Tools for High-Risk Food Safety and Regulatory Decision”
  • Wednesday, July 15, 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. CT
  • Host:
    • David Tonucci, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
  • Panelists:
    • Vera Dickinson, Innova-Q
    • Todd Austin, Aptean
    • Matt Riesenbach, ECI Software Solutions

• “How Do We Balance AI and Human Expertise in Food Innovation?”
  • Wednesday, July 15, 1:10 p.m. – 1:55 p.m. CT
  • Hosts:
    • Amrita Ray, Northern Crops Institute
    • Mohamed Badaoui Najjar, PepsiCo
  • Panelists:
    • Liangji Xu, Amano Enzyme
    • Anna Thomas, Stanford University
    • Panos Kostopoulos, Proxy Foods
    • Ellen Kuhl, Stanford University

Also, a special guided AI-themed tour will be held on Tuesday, July 14, from 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. CT. The tour will explore how AI is being applied to food research, product development, manufacturing, and quality. This tour will connect attendees with exhibitors using AI-enabled tools and platforms for tasks such as formulation design, predictive modeling, and process optimization. At each stop, participants will see concrete use cases and discuss where AI can support decision making, reduce development time, and improve consistency in real-world settings.

To learn more or to register for IFT FIRST, go to www.ift.org/ift-first-event/.

IFT members receive discounted pricing for CoDeveloper as well as a significant discount to IFT FIRST. In addition, members gain exclusive access to an extensive library of content and resources, as well as a series of virtual and in-person networking opportunities. Learn more about joining this growing community at www.ift.org/membership.

About IFT FIRST

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo is one of the most influential food technology events in the world as it unites instrumental leaders across the global food system to help shape the future of food. Each year, IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) convenes prominent food, health, and nutrition professionals across industry, academia, and government to collaborate, innovate, and educate. IFT FIRST features a dynamic expo hall that connects many of the top global food and wellness companies with buyers and those with purchasing influence, while also offering cutting-edge scientific programming that explores the hottest topics across the science of food. IFT FIRST also offers valuable networking opportunities, unique food competitions, and engaging interactive experiences to connect, enrich, and empower attendees in their missions to transform the global food system. For more information, go to www.ift.org/ift-first-event/.

About Institute of Food Technologists

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.