The first palm oil mill in Malaysia to use artificial intelligence (AI) was launched by Malaysia’s Plantation and Commodities Minister Johari Abdul Ghani on 19 November, The Star reported.
The technology was expected to reduce costs and improve processing efficiency in the country, the world’s second largest palm oil producer, the 20 November report said.
According to Johari, the Minsawi Industries Kuala Kangsar mill is the first in the world to use AI in palm oil processing.
The company had invested MYR4M-5M (US$898,270-US$1.12M) in installing the Artificial Intelligence Robotics Engineering Industries (Airei) technology at the mill, which has been in operation for 41 years, the report said.
“This factory uses AI incorporated in its sensors and predictive tools to process palm oil.”
As a result of installing the technology, Johari said the mill would be able to reduce its workforce, particularly foreign labour, by between 30% and 35%.
If the large mill could reduce its workforce and improve oil extraction efficiency, it could increase income and maximise production, he said.
If all 446 palm oil mills in the country adopted the technology, he said the need for foreign workers could be reduced by almost 8,000, Johari added.