A Practical Guide to Deploying AI in Business: Insights for European Companies

AI guide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, work, and do business. What was once the realm of research labs and big tech companies is now entering every sector of the economy—from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare, retail, and even agriculture.

To help businesses make sense of this rapid change, the new Guide to the Deployment of Artificial Intelligence in Business has been published with the support of the HIGHFIVE consortium. The guide offers managers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers a practical roadmap to prepare their companies for an AI-driven future.

Why AI is a strategic imperative

Just as the internet revolutionised business models a generation ago, AI is now emerging as the next major driver of competitiveness. Companies that fail to adapt may soon find themselves at a disadvantage—just as those who underestimated e-commerce two decades ago struggled to survive

AI is not just about efficiency. In the food processing industry, it can become a strategic enabler across the entire value chain:

  • Automation – streamlining repetitive tasks such as sorting, grading, and quality checks, or handling documentation like invoices and supply chain records.
  • Augmentation – supporting staff with better insights, for example by predicting raw material demand, identifying equipment maintenance needs, or flagging food safety risks earlier.
  • Innovation – driving new products and services, such as personalised nutrition offers, smarter recipe development, or more sustainable packaging solutions.
Concrete examples:
  • On the production line, AI-powered vision systems can detect defects or contamination in real time, ensuring consistent quality and safety.
  • In supply chains, AI-based forecasting and routing helps reduce food waste, optimise delivery times, and cut energy use.
  • In product development, generative AI can support R&D teams by analysing consumer trends and suggesting innovative formulations tailored to market demand.
💡 Quick Takeaways from the AI Guide
  • Start small, scale smart: pilot projects are the safest way to build AI know-how.
  • Four pillars matter: culture, talent, data, and infrastructure are essential for success.
  • Act now: AI is evolving faster than any previous technology—companies that wait risk falling behind.

📘 Download the Guide to the Deployment of Artificial Intelligence in Business today and take the first step towards securing your company’s future in the AI-driven economy.

Six key steps in building the four AI support pillars

Six key steps in building the four AI support pillars. 

The publication is more than an introduction—it is a hands-on toolkit for companies ready to future-proof their operations. Readers will find:

  • A step-by-step roadmap for building the four pillars of AI readiness: company culture, talent, data, and infrastructure.
  • Guidance on generative AI, a fast-growing field already reshaping how businesses design recipes, manage customer engagement, and optimise production processes.
  • Risk management insights, including how to ensure compliance with food safety regulations while also meeting the requirements of the upcoming EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
  • Good practice examples from European companies that are already creating value with AI—showing that even SMEs in food processing can take their first steps without excessive cost or risk.

Crucially, the guide emphasises that AI is not something to be “switched on” overnight. It requires gradual steps, pilot projects, and constant learning. Managers are encouraged to start small, gather feedback, and expand once value is demonstrated.

Why is it worth downloading

For many SMEs, AI may still feel distant or risky. Yet the guide makes clear that waiting is the bigger risk. AI capabilities are doubling at an unprecedented speed, and global competitors are already moving ahead

By downloading the guide, companies will gain:

  • Clarity on how to prioritise use cases aligned with their strategy.
  • Confidence to avoid common pitfalls and unnecessary costs.
  • Competitiveness, by embedding AI where it adds real value.
  • Compliance, with insights into EU regulation and responsible AI practices.
Created with HIGHFIVE support

This second edition of the guide has been developed with the support of the HIGHFIVE consortium, which promotes the digital and green transition of European industry. By strengthening AI know-how, HIGHFIVE helps businesses—particularly in the food processing and manufacturing sectors—become more innovative, sustainable, and resilient in global value chains.

Discover AI-powered projects of HIGHFIVE

mayo
Innovation projects

Mayo-Q: IoT solution for real-time quality assessment of mayonnaise production

Mayo-Q is an innovative digital quality assurance system developed by AOTECH in collaboration with Cidacos, one of Spain’s leading food manufacturers. By combining smart AONIR sensors, IoT technologies, and blockchain reporting, the project brings real-time visibility and traceability to mayonnaise production, ensuring every batch meets quality expectations while reducing waste and increasing process efficiency.