A systematic review on the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the agri-food supply chain

• AI adoption in agriculture enhances efficiency, sustainability, and decision-making. • AI improves logistics and intermediary management in agri-food chains. • Transparency and trust drive consumer acceptance of AI in food systems. • AI enables precision nutrition for tailored health and dietary solutions. With a growing global population and escalating concerns over food security, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology capable of optimizing agricultural processes and improving resource efficiency and security. This systematic review explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the whole agri-food supply chain, focusing on its implications for agricultural productivity and consumer behavior. Using the PRISMA guideline, a total of 64 articles were selected to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on artificial intelligence applications within this domain. Unlike previous reviews, this study leverages cluster analysis to categorize research findings into four main themes: 1) adoption of AI technologies in agriculture, 2) applications of AI in the intermediary management of the supply chain, 3) consumer perceptions and acceptance of AI-powered food innovations, and 4) the role of AI in precision nutrition and personalized health management. The review identifies key benefits of AI, including enhanced decision-making capabilities, improved supply chain transparency, and the facilitation of personalized nutrition strategies. It also highlights significant challenges such as technological accessibility, knowledge gaps among agricultural stakeholders, consumer skepticism, and notable methodological limitations in the existing research. The insights presented in this review contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the AI’s role in shaping the future of the agri-food supply chain and provide a foundation for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to develop strategies that maximize the societal and economic benefits of AI integration in the agri-food supply chain.