Synergizing microbial and artificial intelligence technologies in food Systems: Innovations, safety, and sustainable pathways

Artificial intelligence (AI) and microbial biotechnology are significantly advancing the redesign of food systems to make them sustainable, robust, and safe. This review presents a comprehensive discussion on the synergy between the different microbial innovations, such as precision fermentation, bio-preservation, and microbiome-informed functional foods, with AI tools throughout the supply chain from farm to fork. It identifies machine learning, computer vision, biosensors, and blockchain-based traceability as key components of Industry 4.0 and the emerging Food System 5.0 paradigms, and discusses their applications in real-time microbial detection, predictive risk evaluation, and supply chain optimization. Notably, the review places these technological advancements in the context of energy sustainability, climate change, and transitions, highlighting the potential applications of AI-microbial integration to energy intensity, efficient cold chain, waste-related embodied energy, and bioenergy/renewable-powered food systems. It also emphasizes the importance of an integrated ecosystem in which AI drives strain development, process control, smart packaging, and bioeconomy strategies such as food-waste valorization. Besides, the review brings in a critical perspective and raises the issues of antimicrobial resistance, data quality issues, digital divide, and regulatory and ethical uncertainties as limitations. In parallel, this review highlights gaps in life-cycle assessment and quantitative energy measures while critically addressing limits related to antibiotic resistance, data quality, digital infrastructure, and regulatory ambiguity. It demands comprehensive assessments that link advancements in food safety to measurable energy saving, carbon reduction, and integration of renewable energy.