Researchers discuss agriculture, natural resources and life sciences AI applications
Texas A&M AgriLife, the Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and the science agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted a forum on the Texas A&M campus of leading researchers who use artificial intelligence in agricultural, natural resource management and life sciences. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
College Station, TX (November 22, 2024) - Texas A&M AgriLife, the Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and the science agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, co-hosted the 2024 Forum on AI Applications to USDA Science.
A forum of leading researchers who use artificial intelligence in agricultural, natural resource management and life sciences converged on the Texas A&M University campus in Bryan-College Station to share knowledge about emerging uses, responsible advancement and administration of AI technologies in their fields.
More than 1,000 in-person and online attendees joined from more than 70 institutions. Participants included leadership and researchers from 10 USDA agencies and offices, as well as universities from across the U.S., several research institutions, industry representatives and producer groups.
“We thank the USDA for selecting us this year to co-host this event,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We hope this forum leaves everyone energized to move forward together.”
Participating experts shared their latest research as well as opportunities and responsible approaches to new AI applications. They discussed existing and evolving tools necessary for impactful uses of current AI.
Three days of technical discussion
“The science surrounding this important meeting will lead to solutions that benefit people in Texas and beyond by nourishing health, strengthening communities, protecting natural resources and supporting economies,” said G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Some of the forum’s session topics over three days included systems level applications, genomics, protein structure prediction, soil science applications, digital modeling and disease transmission applications, among many others. A host of technical training sessions on emerging AI technology and a poster session also took place.
Along with several USDA organizers, the forum’s Texas A&M lead, Michael Buser, Ph.D., is a professor and Endowed Chair in Cotton Engineering, Ginning and Mechanization in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
“This forum brought together leading researchers who seek to move AI forward in a concerted way toward solutions to major challenges facing agriculture, natural resources and health,” Buser said. “Some of the country’s top scientists were able to share the latest research and discuss new opportunities and responsible approaches.”
Written by Gabe Saldana
