MBZUAI has launched the Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) in collaboration with the UAE Presidential Court and the Gates Foundation. The IAAI will focus on strengthening global food security by providing digital advisory tools to over 43 million smallholder farmers. The institute will develop a new data corpus for agriculture to train AI models and offer localized insights on crops, pests, soils, weather, and markets. Why it matters: This initiative highlights the UAE's commitment to using AI for global good, specifically addressing food security challenges and empowering small-scale farmers through advanced technologies.
MBZUAI and Silal, an Abu Dhabi-based agri-food company, signed an MoU at COP28 to bring AI innovation to agriculture and food production. The agreement establishes a joint AI Center of Excellence to develop the UAE's food production sector, improve food security, and enhance sustainability. Both parties will conduct joint research, exchange expertise, and support startups focused on improving efficiency and innovation in the UAE’s food sector. Why it matters: The partnership aligns with the UAE's National Strategy for Food Security 2051 and aims to leverage AI for sustainable food production, addressing critical challenges like climate change and resource management.
MBZUAI and the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) have signed an agreement to launch an AI lab within MOCCAE. The lab will focus on AI solutions for environmental, agricultural, and climate-related challenges, supporting the UAE's food security strategy and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Example use cases include AI-powered strawberry-picking robots and AI tools for monitoring and visualizing climate change. Why it matters: This initiative signals a commitment to leveraging AI for sustainability and environmental stewardship, potentially establishing the UAE as a leader in applying AI to address critical environmental challenges.
MBZUAI Professor Fakhri Karray and colleagues from the University of Waterloo are using AI to forecast crop yields, focusing on the impact of extreme temperatures on California strawberry yields. The research uses historical climate and agricultural data to predict yields, addressing issues from 2023 when unusual weather caused a $100 million loss to the strawberry industry. Better predictions could benefit consumers, farmers, and the agricultural industry by improving pricing and supply chain management. Why it matters: This research can improve understanding of agricultural system vulnerabilities amid climate change and extreme weather.
MBZUAI has launched the Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) with a new Silicon Valley Lab in Sunnyvale, CA, joining existing facilities in Paris and Abu Dhabi. The launch event showcased PAN, a world model for simulating diverse realities with multimodal inputs. The IFM lab is also advancing K2-65B and JAIS AI systems. Why it matters: This expansion enhances MBZUAI's global presence and connects it with a critical AI ecosystem, supporting the UAE's economic diversification through advanced AI technologies.