In recent days, I’ve been preparing to work with one of the UK’s largest bakeries. It’s got me thinking – what sorts of new opportunities and jobs will AI bring about in the sector?

Here’s three they could be hiring for in the future:

1. As a Sustainability and Nutrition Optimiser, we’d focus on how people care about where food comes from and what’s in it. Bakery companies would hire me to help make their products good for the planet and packed with the right nutrients. I’d dive into the world of biotechnology and food science to come up with new types of baked goods that harm the environment less and are healthier. We’d explore using alternatives like lab-grown yeasts or flours made from sustainable algae. Plus, we’d make sure these tasty treats are vitamin-dense and suit many dietary needs, meeting demand for food that’s both healthy and environmentally conscious.

FEASIBILITY RATING: HIGH – SUSTAINABILITY AND NUTRITION BECOME CORE TO FOOD PRODUCTION STRATEGIES.

2. As a Digital Flavour Designer, digital taste technology will open up a whole new career path. We’d use VR and AI to whip up and test new flavour combos digitally before they’re actually made. This role is a blend of food science and tech, facilitating experiments with flavours without needing to use real ingredients right away. The best part? People try these flavours out from home, simulating taste through smell using olfactory actuators in advanced VR headsets, helping shape the future of food with new forms of market research.

FEASIBILITY RATING: MEDIUM TO LONG TERM. SIMULATING TASTE THROUGH OLFACTORY ACTUATORS STILL IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES.

3. And finally, stepping into the shoes of a Personalised Baking Consultant, it’s about everyone getting exactly what they want. With everything becoming more personalised, bakeries can let customers get bread, cakes, and more made just for them. Whether it’s online or in-store, We’d use AI to craft recipes that match each person’s taste, and dietary needs, and even consider their allergies or gut health. Keeping up with the latest in food tech and trends, We’d offer advice to help people hit their diet goals with food that’s made just for them, using personalised baking mixes, bread, and pastries.

FEASBILITY RATING: HIGH – PERSONALISATION IS A STRONG TREND ACROSS MANY SECTORS.

Finally, when generating images for each of these, notice a commonality. That’s the feature of ‘digital dashboards’. This is worth paying attention to as they will be a common feature in the future of work! Thanks to Freija van Duijne for introducing me to the concept!

It’s a bit of fun. I hope you enjoyed the post!

Matt