WEF’24 in Davos: Accelerating solutions to Food Security: The Pivotal Role of AI and Data

Last week at the World Economic Forum annual event in Davos, I was part of several pivotal discussions exploring the transformative role of data and Artificial Intelligence (#AI) in tackling the critical issue of food security, a challenge intensified by climate change and geopolitical conflicts. The consensus was clear: while AI is not a panacea, it is a powerful enabler in our quest to address food security and build more resilient food systems.

Notably, the latest advances in Generative AI have been transformational, profoundly impacting every field around us. This breakthrough was also one of the main topics of discussion at Davos, highlighting its widespread influence and potential to drive significant changes across various sectors, including agriculture.

AI as a Catalyst in Agriculture: We delved into the advances made at Microsoft and Microsoft Research along with our partners (through products like Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Agriculture and partnerships with Bayer | Crop Science ) on how multi-modal AI tools, like FarmVibes.AI , are revolutionizing agriculture by intelligently combining data from satellites, drones, tractors, weather stations, and sensors, thereby reducing uncertainty in farming practices. Similarly, generative AI tools, such as GPT-4, are bringing invaluable insights to growers in natural language , making complex data and decisions more accessible and actionable. This democratization of AI in agriculture is pivotal, ensuring that these advanced tools are not just limited to large-scale operations but are also accessible to smallholder farmers, bridging the gap and fostering more equitable agricultural development. Furthermore, #AI4Science is accelerating the development of new seed types, chemicals, and food ingredients, which are essential for sustainable agriculture and nutrition.

Panel Discussions: Insights and Innovations Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to participate in various panels, each offering unique perspectives on integrating AI and technology in agriculture and food supply chains:

• Tuesday, Jan 16: The Next Green Revolution: Tech-Enabled Agricultural Supply Chains, moderated by PepsiCo Chief Sustainability Officer, @Jim Andrew, alongside experts Alloysius Attah (CEO, Farmerline), Dr. Athina Kanioura (EVP, PepsiCo), and Gretchen C. Daily (Professor, Stanford), we discussed the role of technology, including green blockchains and AI, and partnerships, to create efficient and sustainable food systems.

• Over dinner at the SDG Tent, in an event titled: "Growing Resilience in a Changing Climate", and moderated by Katharina Stenholm , with Dimitri de Vreeze (CEO, DSM-Firmenich), Sarah Reisinger (CSRO, DSM-Firmenich), Stanlake J.T.M. Samkange (Assistant Executive Director, UN World Food Program) and Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli (Founder, African Food Changemakers), we highlighted the critical interconnection between climate change and nutrition, and the role of various technological, business, and policy innovations to address this important sustainability goal.
• Wednesday, Jan 17: World Bank WRG2030 Council Meeting + UP Accelerator PanelThis Council meeting was followed by a panel including Mr. Manoj Kumar Singh IAS, Juergen Voegele (VP, 世界银行 ), Paul Bulcke (Chairman, 雀巢 ), Gabriela Burian (she/her) ???????????????? (Bayer), Jai Shroff (Chairman, CEO, UPL ) and Michael John Webster (World Bank). The work done by the WRG is impressive, including the impact it is already creating in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The panel discussed innovative ideas, e.g. insurance for weather advisories, to use of AI in UP. The discussion also focused on a systems approach to the food-water nexus and improving farmer incomes through public-private partnerships. Thanks to Ajith Radhakrishnan and Alok Lall for driving this engagement.

• Thursday, Jan 18: Advancing Social Innovation: Strengthening business contributions through AI & Collaboration. The session moderated by Jean-Philippe Courtois (EVP, Microsoft), with Julia White (CMO, SAP ), and Matija Zulj (CEO, AGRIVI ), we underscored the importance of AI and collaboration in driving social innovation, particularly in agriculture. A highlight was discussing how we partner with social innovators, like AGRIVI, to empower smallholder farmers with AI. Special thanks to Adrianna Mangion for driving this collaboration.

These discussions not only align with but also enhance the initiatives we are undertaking as part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Food & Water Security, which I am co-chairing with the Usha Rao-Monari , along with experts and WEF colleagues, some of whom I managed to meet at Davos, including Tania Strauss , Noopur Desai , Morgan Booher , Santhosh Jayaram , Ezgi Barcenas .

Reflections and Future Directions This year's WEF event in Davos was more than a congregation of ideas; it was a catalyst for action. The role of AI and data in agriculture is evident, and the need for collaborative efforts across public, private, and societal sectors is more critical than ever.

As we look back on the discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, several key reflections emerge that are crucial for guiding our future actions:

1. Broad Adoption of AI: It is imperative that AI adoption is not confined to the tech industry alone. Every sector needs to embrace AI to harness its full potential. This is especially true in addressing global challenges such as food security, where AI can offer significant solutions.
2. Keeping Pace with AI Advancements: The field of AI is advancing at a rapid pace. Developments in Large Language Models (LLMs), Smaller Language Models (SLMs), and multimodal models are just a few examples of the fast-evolving landscape. To leverage AI effectively, staying informed and adaptable to these advancements is essential.
3. Ensuring Equitable Access to AI: Perhaps the most critical reflection is the need to democratize access to AI. We must ensure that AI does not become a tool accessible only to the affluent. If not addressed, we risk an 'AI divide' that could exacerbate inequalities, particularly affecting smallholder farmers. Collective efforts are needed to make sure that the benefits of AI innovations reach everyone, regardless of their economic status or geographic location.

These reflections underscore the need for a concerted and inclusive approach to leveraging AI in our global efforts to create sustainable and resilient food systems. The discussions at Davos have set a dynamic tone for the future, one where AI acts as a catalyst for equitable and transformative solutions across the globe.