In a significant shift from traditional methods, South Korean kimchi manufacturers are now turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to maintain and enhance the quality of their product as global demand rises. This move, spurred by the increasing popularity of Korean culture worldwide, represents a notable advance in food production technology.
The World Institute of Kimchi (WiKim) has announced a breakthrough in the use of AI for quality control in kimchi production. This innovation is a response to the growing need for consistent and high-quality products in the face of expanding global markets. WiKim’s initiative, a collaboration with a domestic AI developer and a digital education consulting firm, concluded its first phase in December 2023.
Traditionally, kimchi quality control has relied heavily on human expertise, which, while valuable, can be subjective and inconsistent. The new AI-based approach promises to standardize quality checks, ensuring uniformity in taste and quality of kimchi, a staple in Korean cuisine.
The AI revolution in quality assessment
The collaboration involved constructing a comprehensive data set with over 270,000 records, including RGB color and hyperspectral images. This data set enables the AI model to perform detailed evaluations of kimchi at various stages of production, from cabbage seasoning to fermentation.
The AI model’s capabilities extend to analyzing images to determine critical quality factors such as sweetness, saltiness, and fermentation levels. This technological approach is poised to revolutionize the way kimchi’s quality is assessed, moving away from the subjective assessments of human experts to a more objective, data-driven process.
Addressing workforce challenges and global demand
The integration of AI into kimchi production is particularly timely, considering South Korea’s aging workforce and the manual labor-intensive nature of traditional kimchi production. This technological shift is not just about maintaining quality; it’s also about ensuring the sustainability of the kimchi industry in a country facing demographic challenges.
Furthermore, the global popularity of Korean culture, often referred to as the “Korean Wave,” has led to increased demand for Korean products, including kimchi. As a result, Korean kimchi manufacturers are under pressure to scale up production without compromising the product’s traditional authenticity and quality.
Streamlining production for global expansion
The AI model offers a solution to these challenges. By expediting the inspection process and ensuring consistent quality, it allows manufacturers to meet the growing international demand more effectively. This advancement is crucial for the Korean kimchi industry, which has historically lacked concrete standards for quality assessment and has been slow in adopting technological innovations.
WiKim’s president, Chang Hae-choon, emphasized the significance of this development, stating that the AI-based, non-destructive quality check model not only overcomes previous limitations but also enhances production efficiency. This improvement is essential for maintaining the high standards expected by global consumers.
The future of AI in food production
WiKim’s achievement is part of a larger trend in the food industry, where AI and data-driven technologies are increasingly being used to improve quality control and production efficiency. This trend reflects a broader shift in various industries towards embracing AI to meet the challenges of a changing global market and workforce dynamics.
The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency, marks a significant step in the application of AI technology in traditional food industries. It demonstrates the potential of AI to not only maintain but also enhance cultural culinary traditions in the face of globalizing forces.
The introduction of AI in the production of Korean kimchi is a landmark development. It offers a glimpse into the future of food production, where technology and tradition can coexist to meet the demands of a global consumer base.
