NEC, Kimuraya and ABEMA use AI to develop bread with a “taste of love”

Tokyo, January 17, 2024 -NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), together with Kimuraya Sohonten Co., a long-established bread maker, and Abema TV, a video streaming service, have teamed up to produce bread with flavors inspired by the romantic Japanese television program, "I Fell in Love with you Today." NEC's artificial intelligence (AI) has analyzed conversations from the cast of the show and the lyrics of songs that feature fruits and sweets (*1) to produce five varieties of bread, "Ren AI Pan," that aim to link flavors with romantic feelings. Kimuraya plans to begin providing Ren AI Pan at supermarkets and online stores in areas surrounding Tokyo from February 1, 2024. Kimuraya, was established more than 150 years ago and has traditionally marketed its products through sales channels such as department stores and supermarkets. As a result, acquiring new customers and recognition among younger consumers has been a challenge. Therefore, the company decided to team up with NEC, which has a track record of developing specialized food products using AI, including pudding and craft beer.

A recent market survey of young people in Japan, the target audience for this project, indicated that they are becoming further removed from romantic relationships. With this in mind, the partners developed a product that utilizes the content of a much-talked-about TV program, "I Fell in Love with you Today," which features high school students and the dating issues they face.

The development of "Ren AI Pan"

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