The coffee industry is one field that cannot be separated from Artificial Intelligence (AI). With this artificial intelligence, the potential application of AI in the coffee industry is starting to emerge.

AI helps ease the processing process in the coffee industry. In addition, AI can even brew coffee with the right timing and flavor.

What is AI?

AI or artificial intelligence is a technology that can mimic human intelligence. Therefore, AI is capable of doing things that humans do, such as writing, drawing, and so on.

One of the things AI can do is brew coffee. This is evidenced by the emergence of the first Smart Coffee Machine in Indonesia. A machine similar to a vending machine.

The way it works is almost similar. Customers can just click a few buttons and the machine can make coffee automatically. This machine was launched by a start-up company called JumpStart in 2017.

Utilizing AI technology, this machine can manage automatic route planning, detect errors, and know the estimated demand for raw materials.

In addition, the machine can be used without human labor. It is this automation that makes the existence of AI also seem to threaten the survival of many professions.

The reason is because the profession can be easily done by AI. So, there is no need to pay expensive employees anymore.

However, many still take AI for granted. According to him, AI is still a robot or program that has no emotions. So, you can’t give wholehearted service like a regular barista.

Furthermore, AI also has a high potential for error and thus requires more expensive costs for development and maintenance.

Benefits of AI Implementation in Coffee Farming

Despite the pros and cons, the application of AI has many benefits in the coffee industry. Not only in the process of making from beans into coffee, AI is very useful for the process of growing coffee.

A technology called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is helping coffee farmers to increase the efficiency of their crops. UAVs are unmanned aircraft or drones that function to monitor plantations from above. Drones were first developed on August 22, 1849 in the United States by Israeli engineer Abraham Karem.

The UAV was able to capture the full picture of the coffee plantation. UAVs can do clearer mapping than ordinary satellite imagery. This technology is even used for mapping irrigation areas.

This helps farmers monitor the quality of their coffee plants. The drone can see the presence or absence of mold and bacteria. In addition, UAVs are also useful for monitoring crop growth. Plants that have normal growth will look greener. The Near-Infared camera will capture the solar radiation emitted by the chlorophyll in plants.

In addition to assisting farmers in growing coffee, AI can also roast coffee well. Reporting from Perfect Daily Grid, a coffee roasting machine called Roest is able to detect the first crack automatically using AI. This makes the first crack very obvious when it’s time. In addition, the machine can also adjust the temperature and air. Therefore, this machine can create consistent coffee roasting.

Consumers are the Key Reason for AI Implementation in Coffee Industry

The application of AI in the coffee industry is influenced by the attitude of the consumers themselves. Nowadays, many consumers need coffee quickly. Meanwhile, coffee shops are becoming increasingly crowded.

This leads to long queues to order and wait for the finished order. Consumers also want a blend with the right ratio of water, sugar, and coffee.

Therefore, instant coffee or packaged coffee is always an option because of its consistent taste. Ready-to-drink ( RTD) coffee has also seen a rise in interest in this fast-paced, instant era.

The coffee takes a little longer to make. In addition, it takes care to get the ratio of water to coffee right. Excess or lack of water will affect the flavor of the coffee.

This is the reason why AI continues to be developed. One of them is to fulfill the needs of consumers.

Margaretha (2004) reveals that businesses that want to grow must offer services that are cheaper and faster than other businesses.

That’s why AI is a good potential to develop because it meets these criteria. Regarding the possibility of AI replacing humans, Guston (2014) questions the veracity of this.

However, if you think about it, a technology or AI cannot run without the touch of humans. In addition, if the AI malfunctions, humans will also play a role in repairing this technology.

In conclusion, the potential for implementing AI in the coffee industry is huge as it follows the needs of consumers. AI will help rather than replace humans working in the industry.

Although, AI is predicted to replace humans because it can reduce the cost of paying employees. However, a company still needs human labor to monitor this AI to keep it functioning properly.

In addition, it also takes a long time to develop the technology to meet all the coffee demands. Therefore, human labor such as baristas or coffee farmers are still very much needed.

Related to comfort and warmth in providing services, consumers will feel more comfortable receiving a warm welcome from a barista who puts their heart into making coffee.


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