In a world first, South Australia's SYNC has launched a flagship product that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to fuse flavor science and customer feedback to create a sugar-free alcoholic seltzer.
Co-founder and CEO Denham D'Silva said: indaily The idea for SYNC was born out of his love for machine learning and alcoholic beverage development.
“I got into beer brewing as a passion project,” he said.
“My interest in AI deepened over a decade as I interacted with some of the smartest AI people in the world.”
“This is the culmination of everything.”
D'Silva said the first AI drinks were developed in 2020 when he leveraged AI at his craft brewery, Barossa Valley Brewing, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Machine Learning (AIML). he said. indaily It is said that he developed a friendship with Professor Anton van den Hengel, the principal researcher at AIML.
“Anton was a fan of my beer,” he said.
“I was an AI geek, so I knew I had to start something.”
SYNC was officially founded in 2021 by D'Silva and Trent Fahey. Trent Fahey is a third-generation civil servant who previously ran pubs such as the Bridgeway Hotel and the Maid and Magpie. He also has a background in computer systems and engineering.
Unlike other AI data collections, he said the core of his company is giving customers choice.
“SYNC flips the script on global consumerism, where beverage companies use data and technology to sell more products. they are It’s not something people actually want to drink,” D’Silva said.
“This puts customers in control of their data,” he added.
“I think it's important to be in control of the data that belongs to you.”
As part of the launch, the company will partner with local businesses including Christie's Beach's HWY Hotel and The Sandbar on December 18th and 20th, respectively.
There, customers will be able to create their own customized flavor by completing a short survey on the AI bar.
“If you don't want to wait weeks to bring out a new flavor, which is also an amalgamation of everyone's flavors, we have an AI bar that will make your drink on the spot by answering a few questions,” D'Silva said.
“I’m very excited,” he said.
The seltzer costs $55 for a mixed 10-pack and features flavors of sour lime, orange, raspberry, mango, and cola.
Additional flavors will be announced based on customer feedback. Feedback can be provided online or by scanning the QR code on the back of the product.
