2024 Theme: AI for Optimizing the Food Product Development Cycle
This infographic competition is designed for IFT student members to showcase their skills in communicating the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to optimize food product development cycles. Students are challenged to create an infographic showcasing their ideas to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in creating innovative and successful food products by leveraging AI. By participating in this competition students will,
- Work on ideas focused on using AI technologies to enhance and streamline the process of new product development
- Enhance their knowledge of AI and its use in product development
- Apply previously acquired knowledge and teamwork skills
- Showcase their communication skills uniquely and innovatively
- Gain exposure and prestige
- Win a cash prize if declared the winner
Competition participants will be notified of their status via e-mail before IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo along with a monetary prize of $1000, $750, and $500 awarded to first, second, and third place winners respectively. Winners on the first-place team will receive tickets to the Professional Networking Event at IFT FIRST. Winners and participants will be recognized at the IFT FIRST Product Development Division social event at Professional Networking Event. The winners will also receive recognition through social media and Product Development Division communications.
Eligibility & Teams
- All participants must be IFT student members
- Group or individual submissions are allowed - open to maximum 4 people in a group
- Teams may be undergraduate students, graduate students, or both together
- Students from different (or same) universities around the globe can collaborate
Topic and Rules
Students will create an infographic that aligns to the following topic:
AI for optimizing the food product development cycle
- Digital graphic submission. This can be created using software such as, but not limited to, PowerPoint. The recommended slide size is 18x24 inches.
- We will only accept static posters for this contest (video and gif elements are not allowed)
- Each group or individual is limited to one submission (multiple submissions are not allowed)
- Your message should demonstrate the use of Artificial Intelligence in successful product development
- References must be provided wherever needed. Links to articles/appropriate sources are allowed instead of citations to avoid excessive wording and to make the best use of space.
- You do not need to manufacture a product. This competition is designed to encourage ideas on how AI can contribute to product development.
Timeline
- Deadline for participants to submit: April 30, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. CT
- Results will be announced by July 2024
Judging Criteria
A panel of experts in the areas of product development, AI, and scientific communication will judge the entries. Organizers will not serve as judges.
The submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Concept relevance (Use of AI in leveraging new product development, creativity, background information) – 40%
- Content Knowledge (Understanding science, interpretation of results, validity of conclusion) – 40%
- Presentation Layout (Organization, visual appeal) – 20%
Submitters are encouraged to keep the following points in mind:
- Language should be easy to understand
- Creative use of graphics
- Focus on using relevant, up-to-date information
- The message should be clear and easy to understand
- Specific companies or brands should not be referenced, especially in a defamatory way
- Be mindful about copyright
Contact
Please feel free to reach out to Pratishtha Verma if you have any questions about the competition. Please reach out to Melanie Bozek regarding submission form process.