Artificial intelligence is becoming evident in nearly every professional industry, the cannabis industry notwithstanding. Artificial intelligence merged with cannabis is a host for multiple innovations ranging from cultivation to customer service.
Introduction
Artificial intelligence is a technology that provides services and solutions across multiple industries and at all levels of operations. As a result, the cannabis industry has been privileged to witness the design and implementation of new tools and services advancing the industry from cultivation and processing centers and even directly into the consumer’s pocket, enhancing production and elevating the experience.
Bloom Automation
Massachteuss-based company Bloom Automation has been involved in the cannabis industry from its start. Bloom Automation has merged machine learning with computer learning and 3D imaging. Bloom’s products hinge upon their optical technology with a custom-designed stereoscopic camera – a method to convey three-dimensional depth with two offset images to the left and right, much like a human eye – which scans entire plants and flowers down to the individual trichomes. Industry-wise for those engaged in cultivation, this assists in several facets: the ability to monitor and track plant growth and health, quality control that assists with sorting and grading, and delicate post-harvest bucking – removal of flower from the plant – speeding up the trimming process which in turn assists with boosting profitability.
Canonic
No stranger to the development and research of cannabis, Israel has been an additional nation to implement artificial intelligence, the company Canonic, a subsidiary of Evogene, has been utilizing artificial intelligence, in this case, a form of computational biology, to develop six new hybrid strains for the medical cannabis market in Isreal, and where sales are permitted in Europe, each with a THC content level of 22% of greater. Canonic is home to the largest cannabis research and development sites in Israel, 22,000 square feet, complete with research labs and integrated technologies for collecting plant-specific data. These technologies are shared between Evogene and Cannonic, with Evogene having developed a specific tech engine, “GeneRatorAI,” providing data for Canonic to breed plants based on THC levels selectively and targeted terpene characteristics, ultimately resulting in the six new strains and plans to continue development.
Candidai.com
As with many products for personal consumption, especially with the finer products, expert recommendations greatly influence the consumer. While an oenophile may have access to the knowledge of a sommelier, with a cigar enthusiast a tobacconist, cannabis consumers primarily rely on recommendations from budtenders or word of mouth. Candid AI, on the other hand, has provided the consumer with a solution for tailored recommendations. Consumers can create an account, and then they have the ability to take a survey to navigate them to product recommendations for the experience they have in mind by selecting preferences on product type and brand, should one also have a brand preference. Should a favorite product be out of stock, Candid can also provide recommendations for alternatives with their incorporated feature to find similar products. Candid was founded in 2022 by Nathan Darazio and his fellow co-founder, and the company would be purchased by Dama Financial in 2023. This came at a fascinating time, as Dama Financial had recently acquired the seed-to-sale platform GrowFlow, and now, by integrating the technology together, it has the capability to provide solutions at the consumer and dispensary level by continuing to provide product recommendations, coupled with providing easy to understand metrics to dispensaries to enhance their sales. While Candid was acquired by Dama Financial, Nathan Darazio will serve as Dama’s Enterprise Account Executive, permitting him and Candid to oversee the full implementation.
Conclusion
The impact of artificial intelligence continues to grow its trajectory while providing a transformative impact on the cannabis industry. At each turn, AI presents a new opportunity for enhancing business operations and consumer engagement, from optimizing dispensary inventory management solutions to providing customers with a knowledgeable database to assist purchasing. Additionally, the utilization of AI in the development of newly developed cannabis strains is promising for the future, as it will help create optimized strains and assist in all aspects of cultivation. As this synergy continues to flourish, the future for AI and cannabis as a team is bright, melting together to usher in new innovations, optimization of efficiency, and customer satisfaction.