The line between extinction-level events and revolutionary opportunities

“Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has the potential to bring about numerous benefits and advancements in various fields. However, it is also important to consider the potential risks and dangers associated with AGI development. Here are some of the key concerns: superintelligence, value misalignment, unintended consequences, rapid self-improvement, strategic advantage, job displacement and security risks.” This was ChatGPT’s answer to my question about AI dangers – you can read the full text it generated by following the QR code on this page. I finally made a ChatGPT account just for this one question.

OpenAI released ChatGPT in November last year. Over the past six months, Generative AI has been the trending topic related to Artificial Intelligence, an exploding buzzword in conversations among interpack exhibitors and visitors as well. It has unequivocally entered every aspect of our lives, from the education system, to sciences and a widening range of fields in the workforce. The ominous warning of having a superintelligence system that is allowed to develop unregulated came in May in the form of an open letter signed by AI pioneers and released by the Center for AI Safety. In just 22 words, it spoke of scenarios we have only seen in sci-fi literature before: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks, such as pandemics and nuclear war.” The New York Times speaks of “societal-scale disruptions within a few years if nothing is done to slow it down”, fears shared by the very industry leaders competing in developing AI.

With potentially overwhelming power comes great responsibility and Europe has been leading the way in setting up the first rules on AI through the AI Act, to ensure its human-centric and ethical development. The goal is to ensure that “AI systems are overseen by people, are safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory, and environmentally friendly”.

Rather than attempting to slow down this AI tsunami, the goal is to harness its power – for good. The systems AI disrupts are also starting to quickly adapt: universities can already identify ChatGPT-generated work when testing papers for original content value – and grade it accordingly. In manufacturing, we’ve begun to see the invaluable benefits AI can bring for some years, even before the age of ChatGPT and the exacerbated enthusiasm over its (weaponized) potential. It can entirely revolutionize logistics, streamline supply chain management, control machines, IT operations and entire automated factories. It can also support R&D work. The possibilities are endless, as long as it plays by the emerging rules. In Europe, regulations are being formulated now. Exciting developments will follow.

Cover Stories

Interview

“QUALITY TELLS”

Jeff Greenall, the director of Cavan Bakery, shared with baking+biscuit international the story of the recent GBP 1.5 m investment and the company’s take on innovation.

Koenig closed FY 2022 with sales amounting to EUR 114 million, a new record in the company’s history. Wolfgang Staufer, the company’s CEO, gives us a glimpse into the work behind these results and shares his views on the state of the industry, its future and Koenig’s role.

IN-STORE OVENS

To optimize in-store baking efficiency, the UDO baking technology is one to watch. It stands for Univac Double-bake Oven and is powered by Cetravac AG’s patented innovation. Developed under the bakeXperts brand, the UDO opens the door to a new world of baking in-store.

Case Study

Family-owned Via Oliveto Bakery set out to quadruple production and boost its capabilities to manufacture its staple products and new innovations at its facility in Barrie, Canada.

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Sourdough Perfecting Stages

How to better meet today’s customer expectations with modified dough processes for baked goods containing rye.

Markets

Cost-sensitive and inflation-wary consumers in Germany are bound to increasingly head to the supermarket and discounters for their bread for baked goods in 2023, as they search for a cheaper weekly shopping basket overall.

BAKERIES

06 Cavan Bakery, UK: “Quality tells”

IN-STORE OVENS

12 BakeXperts: A vacuum baking revolution

17 MIWE: In-store baking efficiency – check

INTERVIEW

20 Wolfgang Staufer, Koenig CEO: “The demand for bigger, centralized bakeries has been instrumental”

PRODUCTION

26 Tray handling: Handle with automated care

28 Case study: Via Oliveto Bakery, from rack baking to tunnel ovens

40 FRITSCH, JRS: Competence for gluten-free dough

RAW MATERIALS

32 DIOSNA: How to lower sugar using thermic predough processes

SOURDOUGH

36 IREKS: The stages of perfecting sourdough

MARKETS

44 Euromonitor International: Germany – Supermarket bread is making strides

REG ULARS

03 Editorial: “The line between extinction-level events and revolutionary opportunities” 16 News