Dariush Ajami, Chief Innovation Officer, Beyond Meat
Dariush Ajami, as Chief Innovation Officer at Beyond Meat, is responsible for leading the company’s research, development, and innovation strategies to create and improve plant-based meat products. He drives scientific discovery and technology advancements, oversees product innovation pipelines, manages cross-functional teams, and fosters collaboration to bring sustainable, high-quality plant-based protein solutions to market. His role emphasizes advancing Beyond Meat’s mission through cutting-edge innovation in food science and technology.
In an exclusive interview with CIOReview he shared his invaluable insights regarding the recent developments within the sector, the prevailing challenges and the possible solutions.
Can you share your career journey and the key experiences that influenced your philosophy and led you to your role at Beyond Meat?
My career began in biomedical research, an environment where precision, experimental design, and systems thinking were fundamental. These principles now shape my approach to food innovation. I view every product as an integrated system, where structure, flavor chemistry, nutrition, cost, and sustainability must be optimized together—not in isolation. At Beyond Meat, I’ve built teams and tools grounded in this systems mindset, combining TRIZ, Design Thinking, and Lean practices to accelerate the path from idea to full-scale production. The goal remains constant: to turn science into products that are not only delicious and affordable but also make it easier for people to choose sustainable food every day.
In what ways do you leverage AI or other emerging technologies to enhance product development and consumer experience?
The advances in AI are set to revolutionize the food sector. One powerful example is generative AI’s ability to apply social intelligence, drawing from real-time market signals, online conversations, and consumer sentiment. When combined with sensory testing and structured data, this capability allows us to anticipate how different consumer segments will respond to new products, long before they hit the shelf. It shortens the gap between idea and adoption, making innovation more targeted, efficient, and successful.
How does your team balance innovation with scaling production to meet growing consumer demand without compromising quality?
At Beyond Meat, we design every product with scalability as a foundational principle. From the earliest stages of development, our innovation process blends culinary creativity with rigorous technical criteria, each concept must meet high standards for taste and nutrition, while also demonstrating feasibility against key manufacturing KPIs such as yield, throughput, and cost-per-pound. This integrated approach ensures that what works in the test kitchen can translate seamlessly to full-scale production.
For finance leaders considering AI adoption, it’s essential to approach it not as a tech trend, but as a strategic enabler of long-term value 
What sustainability challenges have you encountered in your role at Beyond Meat, and which technological solutions have you championed to address them?
Our products are inherently designed to address some of the most urgent sustainability challenges facing our food system. By replacing animal protein with plant-based alternatives, we dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water consumption, and reliance on finite natural resources. This shift not only tackles the environmental footprint of traditional meat production but also offers a scalable solution to climate change and natural resource scarcity. Simply put, our core technology, transforming plants into meat—embeds sustainability into every bite.
In what ways do you see technology disrupting the broader food industry in the next 5 to 10 years?
Technology is poised to transform the food industry over the next decade in profound and irreversible ways. AI will accelerate everything from ingredient discovery to consumer insight analysis, drastically reducing the time from concept to commercialization. 3D printing and mass customization will enable on-demand food production tailored to individual health profiles, particularly in foodservice and institutional settings. Precision fermentation will offer cost-effective access to rare flavor compounds, functional proteins, and structured fats— minimizing dependence on animal inputs while enhancing nutrition and sensory experience. At the agricultural level, advances in satellite imaging, soil sensors, and machine learning will optimize crop performance while reducing water usage, fertilizer inputs, and carbon intensity— delivering new levels of transparency and efficiency across the supply chain. The convergence of food science, digital infrastructure, and sustainable biology is not just disrupting the current system— it’s redefining the future of how we grow, make, and consume food.
What advice would you offer finance leaders considering AI adoption to enhance operational efficiency and strategic value?
For finance leaders considering AI adoption, it’s essential to approach it not as a tech trend, but as a strategic enabler of long-term value. Focus first on high-impact areas—such as forecasting, cost modeling, and inventory optimization— where AI can meaningfully improve accuracy, agility, and insight. Start with targeted, low-risk pilot programs designed to deliver clear, measurable outcomes. Use these early wins to build confidence and inform a thoughtful roadmap for broader deployment once ROI is proven.