IBM's AI push helps consumer goods firms go digital, tide over Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has spurred consumer goods firms to work with Big Blue to drive their digital transformation efforts, write Peerzada Abrar and Sai Ishwar

The next time you buy Parle biscuits or Mother Dairy products such as milk, ice cream, paneer and ghee, the chances are that IBM’s technology has played a role in bringing them to you. 

At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has created hurdles for businesses, several consumer companies such as Mother Dairy, Parle, outdoor gear firm Wildcraft and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) are collaborating with technology giant IBM to drive their digital transformation. Big Blue is providing them technologies to help them address the challenges posed by the pandemic. And the applications range from disaster recovery to predicting demand