The agri-food industry is currently facing significant global challenges, including climate change, resource depletion, and growing demands for food security. In response to these challenges, sustainable innovation has become a critical focus for the industry. Sustainable innovation refers to the development and adoption of new technologies, practices, and business models that aim to improve environmental, social, and economic outcomes. One of the most promising technologies for supporting sustainable innovation is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to enhance various aspects of sustainability within the agri-food sector. This study explores the role of AI in supporting sustainable innovation strategies and practices in the agri-food industry, with a focus on understanding how AI can help optimize processes, reduce waste, improve resource management, and foster more sustainable business models.
To achieve this, a comprehensive systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing seventy-three peer-reviewed articles related to AI applications in the agri-food industry. Through this analysis, the study identifies six main clusters of strategies that are currently being employed to drive sustainability in the sector. These strategies include optimizing production processes, improving supply chain efficiency, enhancing product traceability, and advancing precision agriculture practices. Additionally, the study highlights the role of AI in supporting twenty-four specific practices within these strategies, such as predictive analytics for crop yield forecasting, AI-driven waste reduction systems, and AI-based monitoring tools for environmental impacts.
However, the findings also reveal significant gaps in the application of AI, particularly the lack of support for circular economy approaches, which focus on reducing waste and reusing resources throughout the supply chain. This gap presents an opportunity for further research into how AI can be leveraged to support circular practices within the agri-food industry. The study provides a foundation for future exploration into the integration of AI and sustainable innovation, offering insights for both researchers and practitioners seeking to improve sustainability in the agri-food industry.