How has AI impacted the convenience store industry, and what transformations are yet to come? Tuesday’s Education Session, “AI for Everyone,” which is in Ballroom A from 8-9 a.m., aims to shed light on those questions.

Sanjeev Satturu, chief information officer for Casey’s General Stores, will be one of three featured speakers, along with Brian Gray, managing director at Accenture, and Jerome Rose, general manager of U.S. retail and consumer goods at Microsoft.

“We’re seeing AI-powered inventory management solutions that provide real-time insights into stock levels, product placement, and inventory trends, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing waste,” said Satturu. “And AI video analytics can enhance security by analyzing video feeds to detect unusual behavior, unauthorized access, or potential theft incidents.”

In fact, Satturu said AI can be used to analyze market data, competitor pricing, and demand patterns to dynamically adjust fuel prices. The technology can optimize energy usage by analyzing data from energy consumption patterns, environmental conditions, and operational schedules. In addition, it can be used to facilitate predictive maintenance by monitoring the condition of equipment like refrigeration units, HVAC systems, and fuel pumps to predict where maintenance or replacement is needed before failures occur.

And that’s just behind the scenes. Satturu said AI can go a long way toward enhancing the guest experience as well.

“AI can personalize loyalty programs by analyzing customer purchase history and preferences to offer tailored rewards and promotions,” he said. “It can also be used for digital signage, targeted advertising, and to monitor the cleanliness and condition of facilities in real time, while identifying areas that require immediate cleaning or maintenance.”

While that all sounds great, Satturu said there are still some hurdles to overcome, and that’s where the c-store industry needs to take the lead in guiding AI into the future. That means working to help craft responsible usage policies—at both the industry and legislative levels.

“We have to look at things like data privacy, ethics, the proper use of AI, and industry compliance with AI,” he said.

Ultimately, Satturu said, c-store owners need to get out in front of AI and determine how it will impact the industry, rather than the other way around.

“Developing a basic understanding of AI—what is it; understanding the value of applying AI—what it can be used for; and learning what the main challenges and imperatives will be are the foundational things to do for everyone in the convenience retail industry,” he said.

AI is just one of many technologies that will be discussed at the 2024 NACS Show. Check out the other technology Education Sessions, and more sessions covering everything from fuels to human resources, here.