Japanese brewing giant tests generative AI to create new drinks

Kirin Holdings

Japan's Kirin Holdings, one of the country's largest beer producers, has begun testing generative artificial intelligence technology to develop new product ideas.

Here's What We Know

Kirin is currently polling customers about their drink preferences. The process can take up to 50 hours, which slows new products to market. AI is seen as an opportunity to speed up this process.

So far, the technology is only being used for Kirin Hyoketsu's line of ready-to-drink cocktails in fruit and sparkling wine flavours. These drinks are often released in seasonal and promotional variations. Kirin hopes that AI will be able to generate ideas for new flavours and packaging designs based on consumer surveys.

According to the company, all AI-generated ideas will be thoroughly tested by humans before going to market. For now, there are no plans to use the technology for Kirin's main product, beer.

Source: The Register