Nutrigenics, an AI startup founded by MBZUAI PhD students, is developing a platform to improve dietetics. The platform features 200,000 tagged recipes and a vision language model (VLM) that analyzes meal photos with 70% accuracy. Nutrigenics aims to bridge the gap between clinical advice and daily eating habits, enabling dieticians to monitor patient progress more effectively. Why it matters: This technology can personalize nutrition at scale in the region and improve adherence to dietary guidelines, addressing a critical need in preventative healthcare.
Dr. John Bedbrook of DiCE Molecules LLC spoke at KAUST about the challenges of feeding a growing population with increasingly stressed arable land. He noted the increasing demand for meat in emerging economies exacerbates the problem. Bedbrook emphasized the role of genetics and hybridization in improving crop yields and quality to address food security. Why it matters: Investments in agricultural biotechnology are crucial for the GCC region to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports amid changing climate conditions.
A workshop on "Scaling Algal Production Technologies for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" was held at KAUST from November 10-12, 2013, with attendees from government, industry, and academia. The workshop addressed algae's role in food security and its link to the food and pharmaceutical industries in Saudi Arabia. Participants reviewed the latest scientific work, the high-tech investor landscape, and mechanisms for partnerships in algal biotechnology. Why it matters: Although this event happened in 2013, it shows the early commitment of Saudi Arabia and KAUST to exploring biotechnology solutions for food security, an ongoing priority in the region.
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has launched the Saudi AgriFood Tech Alliance. KAUST is a founding member along with the Research, Development and Innovation Authority and Topian (the NEOM Food Company). The alliance includes around 40 entities from the public and private sectors, research, academia, and nonprofit organizations to deploy AgriFood technological solutions. Why it matters: This initiative signals Saudi Arabia's intent to leverage technology and partnerships to enhance food security and sustainability within the Kingdom's agricultural sector.
KAUST will host its Fall Discovery Enrichment program from October 14-22, focusing on the theme "Food for All." The program includes discussions on women in biology led by Bettina Berger, Jasmeen Merzaban, Peiying Hong, and Ashwag Albukhari. Other activities feature a workshop on diet improvement by Amna Malik and cooking demonstrations by German chef Bernd Arold, alongside screenings of food-related movies. Why it matters: The event promotes community engagement and education around food-related topics, highlighting the intersection of science, health, and culture within the KAUST community.
Fred Davies from Texas A&M University spoke at KAUST about the challenges of feeding the world's growing population. The keynote address was part of KAUST's Enrichment in the Fall program. Davies discussed the growing needs and problems related to global food production. Why it matters: Such discussions at KAUST can help foster research and innovation in agricultural technologies relevant to Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
Red Sea Farms, a KAUST startup, is advancing its saltwater greenhouse technology with a new 21,000 square foot pilot facility at the KAUST Research & Technology Park. Their greenhouse technology allows for growing crops on marginal land, using 90% less freshwater than traditional methods. The system uses saltwater in greenhouse-cooling and climate control, resulting in a lower environmental footprint. Why it matters: This technology addresses critical food and water security challenges in arid regions by enabling local food production with minimal freshwater resources and reduced energy consumption.
AlBaik and KAUST have partnered to launch the 'e-AlBaik Lab,' a smart technology living lab on the KAUST campus focused on food service innovation. The collaboration aims to leverage KAUST’s research infrastructure to enhance AlBaik’s food service through automated ordering, smart delivery, and sustainability initiatives. The lab will experiment with technologies like drones and autonomous vehicles to improve delivery efficiency. Why it matters: This partnership signifies the increasing adoption of advanced AI and automation technologies within Saudi Arabia's food industry, potentially setting a precedent for other local businesses to innovate their service and delivery models.