The two companies have used artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a range of age-targeted brews
NEC Corporation, a Japanese multinational information technology and electronics corporation, and Coedo Brewery have unveiled a series of craft beers created using generative AI, aiming to foster intergenerational communication.
The collaboration, announced on March 28, marks the second series of AI-generated beers developed by the companies since 2020. The four beers are designed to reflect the characteristics and preferences of people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Using NEC’s Agentic AI, a generative AI model named Cotomi, generational traits were analysed using data from Coedo’s internal brewing knowledge and global sources. The AI proposed initial recipes, which were then refined by Coedo’s brewers through iterative discussions.
The resulting products include a peach-flavoured beer for people in their 20s, offering a fruity and fresh experience. The 30s version features a vibrant blue hue with a crisp rice-based flavour designed to pair well with a variety of meals.
For the 40s demographic, the beer is spiced to evoke maturity and complexity, while the 50s variant boasts a deep red colour with malt and caramel notes, reflecting a lifetime of experiences.
The collaboration reduced labour costs by approximately 40% compared to traditional brewing methods.
Coedo Brewery’s brewers engaged with the AI as a virtual collaborator, discussing and refining recipes in a chat-based format. The AI suggested adjustments based on feedback, facilitating a creative and efficient development process.
NEC’s Cotomi AI analysed consumer preferences using both internal data and external insights. The generative AI also autonomously managed tasks, offering ingredient recommendations and adapting the recipes to align with the targeted generational profiles.
The beers will soon be available in Japanese supermarkets and through Coedo Brewery’s online store, with a planned showcase at the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo which opens in mid-April.
NEC plans to expand the use of its AI technology to other industries for product development, while Coedo aims to continue integrating AI into its brewing process for future innovations.
