Globally, food systems are responsible for 34% of greenhouse gas emissions and over 85% of water consumption, fueling climate change and negative environmental impacts. In the US, approximately 30% of the food produced goes to waste, while over 10% of households experience some level of food insecurity, largely in underrepresented communities. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology that can revolutionize the US food and agriculture sector across the food value chain, to meet the growing needs for environmental sustainability and climate resilience, while ensuring equitable access to healthy food for all Americans.
Before AI tools and applications are deployed widely in the food and agricultural sector, it is critical to understand needs, concerns, and potential impacts on stakeholders in the sector. Our three-part workshop will assemble experts in AI and food systems and stakeholders in the food and agriculture sector to discuss how AI technology should be designed, developed, and deployed in the sector and how the sector’s workforce can be trained to support the responsible and ethical use of AI across the food value chain.
Part 1: Expert Communities of Practice
On January 15 and February 12, 2025, we will host online convenings to assemble experts at the intersection of AI and food systems to identify the current state and trajectory of two topics:
- January 15: AI-supported precision and “intelligent” food production systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resource use. REGISTER HERE
- February 12: AI-assisted tools to promote health and disease resistance of food, pre- and post-harvest, and the discovery of novel proteins and food ingredients. REGISTER HERE
Within each topic, we will facilitate discussions around regulatory barriers, market and policy drivers, and data issues, such as collection, accumulation, and analysis. We will also focus on how each AI topic can be used to address societal challenges in food systems, such as environmental sustainability, climate-resilience, and equitable access to healthy food.
Part 2: In-Person Stakeholder Workshop
On March 13, 2025, we will host an in-person convening at UC Davis for industry, academic, government, and community groups at the intersection of AI and food systems.
During this meeting, we will identify how technology developers can best engage with stakeholders throughout the design, development, and deployment of AI technology in food systems. We aim to produce recommendations and best practices for:
- education and workforce training, and
- fostering partnerships between developers and stakeholders during AI development for food systems.
Workshop space is limited and participants will be selected to ensure representation from all parts of the food value chain. Travel support may be available for some participants. Invites will be sent in January.
Part 3: Virtual Public Symposium
In September 2025, we will host an online symposium to present our findings, recommendations, and best practices from Parts 1 and 2 of this workshop in order to receive public comment. Final products will be presented to local and national policymakers who are interested in preparing an AI-ready workforce for sustainable, climate-resilient, and equitable food systems in the US. A final report will be presented to the National Science Foundation to inform their priorities for responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies.
This workshop is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technology Program, Award #2427769