PepsiCo is using agentic AI and digital tools to improve efficiency and customer engagement. Athina Kanioura discussed this in a podcast episode.
The company rolled out its D2C platform in Mexico and Brazil.
Salespeople now focus on relationships instead of manual order taking.
What happened
In episode two of “Food for Thought,” PepsiCo’s Head of Global Communications, Chris Manzini, interviewed Athina Kanioura, PepsiCo’s CEO, Latin America Foods and Global Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, about how the company is applying agentic AI and digital tools across its business.
Why it matters
Kanioura said AI is now in every part of PepsiCo’s business, and agentic AI—where an AI agent interacts on behalf of a person—can unlock real-time recommendations, root-cause analysis, predictive maintenance, and inventory forecasting. This shifts salespeople from taking orders to building relationships, as store owners can now use auto order through an app, making the salesperson a business development and relationship manager.
What to watch
Kanioura highlighted that last year PepsiCo rolled out its D2C platform in Mexico and Brazil, which is expected to enable more direct sales, a reward platform, and a more digital-first way to engage with customers through its e-go-to-market ecosystem.
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The conversation highlights PepsiCo's broader strategy of using technology to become a stronger company, as mentioned in episode one with chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. The focus is on modernization and growth, with Latin America seen as a growth engine where new consumer engagement models can be tested. The rollout of the D2C platform in Mexico and Brazil is a key step, potentially leading to more intimate consumer engagement and direct sales.
The emphasis on agentic AI and digital twins suggests a shift toward more predictive and forward-looking business operations. This is not about replacing humans but amplifying their capabilities, as Kanioura stressed. The practical effect is that employees can focus on higher-value tasks, such as relationship building and strategic sales, rather than manual processes.
Looking ahead, the success of these initiatives in Latin America could inform how PepsiCo applies similar technologies in other regions. While the benefits are still being realized, the company appears committed to integrating AI across all parts of the business to drive growth and efficiency.
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