Albertsons launches proprietary computer vision tool for supply chain
Albertsons Companies Inc. is equipping its distribution center associates with next-gen artificial intelligence capabilities.
The grocery giant is rolling out its AI-based, patent-pending Intelligent Quality Control tool. Built in-house by Albertsons’ technology and supply chain teams, the solution uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise agentic AI platform, including Vision AI and Gemini models, to support the retailer’s produce quality inspection teams.
Seamlessly integrating into the distribution center workflow, the quality inspector feeds an image of the produce into the AI tool, which runs on Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform and evaluates visual characteristics against Albertsons’ established quality standards.
The system provides a rating and recommendation designed to be accurate and consistent to the inspector for approval. The new Intelligent Quality Control tool is the latest development in an established partnership between Albertsons Cos. and Google Cloud. In 2025, Albertsons was one of the first retailers to bring Google Cloud’s Conversational Commerce agent to market through its Ask AI agentic shopping assistant.
[READ MORE: Albertsons debuts new Google agentic AI chatbot]
"We built the AI-powered Intelligent Quality Control tool to support our team of talented quality inspectors in our distribution centers, and early results show it’s been incredibly helpful in increasing the consistency of quality rating which is crucial for highly perishable products such as fruits and vegetables," said Evan Rainwater, executive VP and chief supply chain officer for Albertsons Cos. "This is just the latest advancement in how we are using AI within our multi-billion-dollar supply chain to improve operational efficiencies, improve product quality and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction."
Live now in select Albertsons distribution centers, the solution is initially focused on quality inspections for strawberries and red and green grapes. The company is expanding it across the entire berry section with plans to scale the tool nationwide and incorporate more fresh products.
According to Albertsons, early results have demonstrated operational improvements including reduced variability in quality ratings among different inspectors and shifts at a location, ensuring a more uniform standard; accelerated inspection process from the automated scorecard, faster decision-making, expanded produce quality data, and alignment of produce operations with internal quality criteria.
"This collaboration with Albertsons Cos. demonstrates the transformative power of applying advanced AI, like Vision AI and Gemini, to the core of the supply chain,” said Jose Gomes, VP, retail & CPG, Google Cloud. “Ensuring quality consistency for fresh produce is a complex, logistical challenge. By advising on this intelligent component, we are helping Albertsons Cos. drive efficiency and, most importantly, deliver on their promise of fresh, high-quality food to their customers. This is the future of intelligent commerce."
Albertsons also utilizes several AI-based forecasting, replenishment and category management solutions from Afresh to reduce waste and offer the freshest products possible in the produce department, delivering fresher produce with higher in-stock rates while also reducing food waste.
As of Feb. 28, 2026, Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies operated 2,244 retail stores with 1,713 in-store pharmacies, 405 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities. The company operates stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 22 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.
