Interoperability and AI: Building the Next Growth Frontier for Consumer Goods

Yet despite this urgency, many FMCG organisations still have fragmented systems, conduct manual ESG reporting, and have inconsistent data standards. These gaps not only limit operational efficiency but also constrain innovation, ESG progress, and consumer trust.

At the recent IOO • HORIZON conference in Barcelona last October global CPG, retailers, and technology experts explored how interoperability and responsible AI adoption can turn data from a constraint into a catalyst for measurable business value.

As CGF, Data-Driven Value Chain Director, Ruediger Hagedorn noted, 

Without interoperable data, even the most advanced AI models will struggle to deliver consistent, trustworthy results. Establishing clear internal data governance and addressing taxonomy barriers is the foundational shift needed for scalability and trust.

With this imperative established, the discussions also focused on the practical frameworks that drive these outcomes.

• For AI, as organisations move beyond pilot testing, participants highlighted AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) as a practical model to build the shared framework for governance and security, enabling leaders to drive scalable and trustworthy initiatives.
• For sustainability, the focus was on the critical challenge of tackling Scope 3 emissions. The discussions affirmed that real progress requires linking product identity with carbon information. Pilot initiatives, such as connecting GS1’s GDSN with PACT framework, represent potential steps toward improving this exchange.
• For commercial growth, Retail Media (RM) particularly in-store activations represents a great scalable opportunity. To capture this value, retailers must break internal silos between marketing, sales, and IT, integrating new systems with legacy infrastructure.

The Consumer Goods Forum, Data-Driven Value Chain enables industry leaders to drive forward interoperability, data governance, and responsible AI practices.

Watch IOO·HORIZON video highlight:

To learn more about ongoing initiatives supporting the digital transformation of the value chain, contact: [email protected]