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Malaysia's first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered palm oil mill was launched by Agriculture and Commodities Minister Johari Abdul Ghani on 19 November, according to a report by The Star.
The technology is expected to help cut costs and improve processing efficiency in the country, the world's second-largest palm oil producer, according to a report published on 20 November.
Johari said the Mainsawi Industries Kuala Kangsar mill is the first in the world to use artificial intelligence in palm oil processing.
The report noted that the company invested between 4 million and 5 million ringgit (US$898,270 to US$1.12 million) to install AI Robotic Engineering (Airei) technology at the mill, which has been operating for 41 years.
"This mill uses artificial intelligence built into sensors and predictive tools to process palm oil," he said.
Johari added that installing this technology would allow the mill to reduce its workforce, particularly foreign labour, by between 30% and 35%.
He noted that if a large mill could cut labour requirements while improving oil extraction efficiency, it could boost income and maximise production.
He said that if all 446 palm oil mills in the country adopted this technology, demand for foreign labour could fall by around 8,000 workers.
Source: The Star