Emerging Technologies: Implications for Food Safety Regulation and Global Food Systems and consumers

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the current and developing environment in which disruptive technologies are changing the way we live and work, characterised by the convergence of digital, physical, and biological technologies. These technologies are influencing societies, economies and individuals; resulting in a global transformation, which is significant in terms of its size, speed, and scope.
Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies have the potential to help revolutionize food systems, dramatically changing the shape of demand, improving value-chain linkages and creating more effective production systems. At the same time, however, they are likely to introduce new challenges and threats - raising concerns pertaining to public health and food safety, vulnerable groups (elderly, low income groups, immuno-compromised etc.), labour markets, and geopolitical security as well as social value systems and ethical frameworks.
As the FSA looks to modernise the way food businesses are regulated, the FSA needs to better understand the potential impact of emerging technologies and evolving global food systems on the sectors it regulates if it is to develop a system that is modern, risk-based, proportionate, robust and resilient. In addition, the FSA will need to understand how this
changing technology impacts on consumers. Including; understanding consumers' perception of risk from new and emerging technologies and how emerging technologies impact on consumers' connection (or lack of connection) to the global food system.
A collaborative research project exploring emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) technologies and global food systems; while assessing the implications for evolving UK markets and for consumers including vulnerable groups.
The overarching aims of the research are:
To understand the complexities and dynamics of emerging FIR technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI); and how, through a horizon scanning lens (economic, environmental, political, social, legal) this impacts on UK and global food systems and markets.
Forward looking assessment of the potential impact FIR technologies would have on the UK/ global food sector; and the implications this would have in a food safety regulatory context i.e. identifying probable emerging risks (public health/ food access etc.) as well as opportunities (smarter more targeted and proportionate ways of regulation etc.).
To understand the impact FIR technologies is likely to have on consumers in terms of choice, access, preferences, quality of life, and standard of living. Also how FIR technologies affect consumer's connection to the food system, for example does convenience mean decreased connection? In addition a better understanding of consumer's perception of the risk from these new and emerging technologies.
Identifying likely winners and losers owed to disruptive FIR technologies i.e. groups and sectors affected such as vulnerable groups, SMEs, emerging sectors etc.