As the city of Milan sizzles under the late summer sun and tourists return from their seaside escapes, a revolutionary gelato boutique, Terra, is capturing attention. Gianfranco Sampo, the gelato maestro behind Terra, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize his business, from creating new flavors to predicting demand and minimizing waste.
Sampo, a former business consultant, turned his passion for gelato into a business venture, but he wasn’t satisfied with traditional methods. He wanted to find a way to make gelato more efficient and sustainable. Enter AI. Sampo’s team has developed a system that uses AI to analyze data like weather patterns, foot traffic, and even social media trends to predict customer demand for specific flavors. This allows them to produce only the amount of gelato needed, reducing food waste significantly.
The AI system isn’t just about efficiency. It’s also helping Sampo create innovative flavors. The AI program analyzes traditional recipes, popular flavors, and even customer feedback to suggest new combinations. This has led to some truly unique offerings, like white chocolate with berries and caramelized black pepper, a flavor that has garnered critical acclaim, including the prestigious Gambero Rosso award, considered the Michelin stars of the ice cream world.
Sampo’s ambition extends far beyond Milan. He’s opening a new Terra in Rome and has his sights set on New York City in 2025. He believes that the AI-powered business model is scalable and can be adapted to local tastes. This is evident in their existing locations, where they cater to diverse customer demographics with unique offerings, like black sesame and raspberry jam gelato for Chinese customers in Milan.
Sampo’s use of AI isn’t just about creating a more efficient business; it’s about creating a more sustainable future for gelato. His vision is to create a global network of Terra shops that use AI to optimize production, reduce waste, and create delicious gelato that resonates with local tastes. It’s a future that promises to be both tasty and sustainable.
The next chapter for Terra is exciting, with plans to conquer new markets and introduce new flavors. Sampo’s ambition is fueled by a combination of passion for gelato, innovative technology, and a deep understanding of the power of AI to transform the food industry. Terra’s success is a testament to the potential of AI to revolutionize not just the gelato industry, but any business that strives to be efficient, innovative, and sustainable.
