abstract
- New product development is vital for the competitiveness and survival of the food industry. Consequently, future Food Engineers must master Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to manage the high-dimensionality data required to understand evolving consumer needs. This study analyzed seventh-semester students who utilized ATLAS.ti software to investigate product categories through social media, scientific databases, and field research. By leveraging AI-driven sentiment analysis and pattern recognition, students processed complex information more efficiently than the control group. The results indicate that AI integration enables students to organize diverse data sources effectively and establish deeper analytical relationships in less time. Ultimately, this approach fostered clearer, more creative contextual interpretations, allowing students to design food product proposals with superior commercial viability and closer alignment with market demands.