Universities and businesses around the world are using artificial intelligence and robots to change farming for the better. This week showed many new ways that AI is helping farmers grow food and protect the environment.

Training the Next Generation of AI Farmers

Penn State University in the United States is teaching the next group of scientists about AI and farming. The university received $238,500 in funding to train three doctoral students over three years. These students will learn from experts in many different fields like plant science, weed science, and pest control. The students will get hands-on experience with smart sprayers, drones, and AI robots that can see and manage crops. By training these students, Penn State hopes to create leaders who will use AI to help farming adapt to climate change.

The University of Florida is also investing big money in AI for farming. They are building a new 40,000 square foot AI center that will cost millions of dollars. This center will have labs, offices, and space for robots and computers. It will directly hire about 100 people including computer scientists, engineers, and AI specialists. The center will help Florida farmers deal with many farming problems by creating new AI technologies.

Robots That Do Precision Work

One of the most exciting new technologies is the Sharpshooter robot made by Verdant Robotics. This robot uses computer vision and AI to see what is in a field and spray exactly what is needed. The robot can place a tiny drop of spray within five millimeters of where it needs to go. This means farmers can use 85% less labor and use fewer chemicals. The robot can cover 50 to 60 acres in one day and is easy for farmers to use. Operators can learn to use it in just five to ten minutes.

The Sharpshooter can work with many different crops including apples, cherries, lettuce, and corn. Farmers see their money back from buying the robot in less than one year because they save so much on labor and chemicals.

Young People Making AI Tools

The Reboot the Earth program is a worldwide series of competitions where young people create AI tools for better farming. In India, Team Clairvoyance made AgriSakhi, a tool that helps women in farming understand their livestock better. In Rwanda, Team Hinga Transit-AI won for making a tool that helps farmers find local truck drivers, so food does not waste after being picked. In the United States, AgriForce won for creating an AI tool for growing food indoors in cities. In Ethiopia, Team AgriLo made a tool that gives farming advice to farmers even when they do not have internet. In Qatar, Team GreenGold won for making a dashboard that shows soil information, water needs, and plant health. In Italy, Team Hackriculture made AgriSnapp, which uses AI to find crop diseases and tells farmers what to do about them.

Understanding Food and Farming Better

At the University of California, Davis, the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems uses AI to understand how farming affects food. Scientists compare 100 different farms to see which farming methods make the healthiest food and hurt the environment the least. They look at molecules in almonds, wheat, and apples to understand what makes food healthy. This information helps farmers and food companies make better choices about how they grow and produce food.

What This Means for Farming

All of these new AI tools are helping farms in important ways. Farmers can use fewer workers because robots do the work. Farmers can use fewer chemicals and water, which is good for the environment. Farmers earn more money because they grow better crops and spend less on chemicals and labor. Scientists and young people are creating new tools every day to solve farming problems. Artificial intelligence is making farming smarter and more sustainable for the future.