The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has partnered with British AI firm Aiimi to roll out a workplace search engine that will bring together the regulator’s data estate.
The tool will aim to instantly surface accurate and relevant information needed by FSA staff, as they work to process new food product applications and identify potential food safety risks.
The workplace search engine being rolled out by Aiimi will enable authorised FSA staff to search the regulator’s data estate. The AI-powered tool will aim to instantly surface information needed by staff – whose responsibilities include processing new product applications, identifying potential food safety risks, and reporting insights to stakeholders – to make more informed decisions.
To power the tool, Aiimi’s technology will classify and bring together information that currently exists in different formats across disparate sources, including data from Local Authorities, food businesses, and sampling laboratories. Aiimi stated that the AI search engine will “proactively deliver insights and enable staff to more easily spot crucial patterns”.
Currently, FSA staff must work manually to analyse, cross reference, and validate vast quantities of data, in order to identify food risks and process new food product applications. With the implementation of the new AI tool, Aiimi will deliver training and continuous support for FSA staff.
Steve Salvin, CEO and founder of Aiimi, commented: “We’re proud to have such a trustworthy and well-regarded institution put their faith in us. Vast amounts of data underpin our vital public services, but there is so much value still waiting to be unlocked. Using this data to generate more accurate and relevant insights in a timely and secure way is the route to driving the greatest impact for the greatest number of people.
“The AI-powered workplace search engine we’re rolling out at the FSA will serve this very purpose; helping the regulator maintain the UK’s high food standards and public trust, and bring to market more sustainable emerging food products.”
