Oct 14, 2025

MIT engineers create AI tool with 99% accuracy, replacing expensive lab equipment

MIT engineers have developed SpectroGen, an AI-powered "virtual spectrometer" that can generate spectroscopic data across different modalities with 99 percent accuracy. The tool addresses a critical bottleneck in materials quality control by allowing manufacturers to scan materials with a single, inexpensive instrument and then use AI to generate what the results would look like from other, more expensive scanning methods. Why this matters: Quality verification of new materials currently requires multiple specialized and expensive instruments, creating costly delays in manufacturing processes for batteries, electronics, and pharmaceuticals that could be dramatically streamlined. How it works: SpectroGen takes spectral measurements from one...

read Oct 13, 2025

Swiss agtech Ecorobotix raises $150M to scale plant-by-plant AI spraying

Swiss agtech company Ecorobotix has raised $150 million across Series C and D funding rounds to accelerate development of its Plant-by-Plant AI software for precision crop spraying. The company's technology uses computer vision and robotics to enable ultra-precise pesticide application with spray footprints of just a few centimeters, potentially reducing chemical input usage by up to 95% while helping farmers cut costs and meet sustainability pressures. What you should know: Ecorobotix's ARA "smart" spraying systems are already operational in more than 20 countries including the US, Europe, and Oceania. The funding consists of $45 million raised in 2024 and $105...

read Oct 6, 2025

Got AI? Merck’s collars for dairy cows predict illness 48 hours before symptoms appear

Dairy farmers are now using high-tech collars equipped with movement sensors, Wi-Fi, and AI to monitor cow health and optimize milk production. These wearable devices, manufactured by Merck, a healthcare company, can predict illness up to 48 hours before symptoms appear, allowing farmers like Tony Louters in California to intervene early and prevent costly milk losses. What you should know: The collars represent a major evolution in livestock monitoring technology, transforming from basic pedometers in 2013 to sophisticated AI-powered health monitoring systems. Each of Louters's 700 cows wears a collar that continuously tracks biometric data and sends alerts to his...

read Oct 1, 2025

Green thumbs push AI buttons with Gardyn’s $549 smart plant monitors

The indoor gardening market has exploded as urban dwellers seek fresh, pesticide-free produce without the hassle of traditional farming. Enter the Gardyn Studio 2.0, a compact smart garden that promises to transform how busy professionals grow food at home using artificial intelligence to monitor plant health. This isn't just another glorified planter with LED lights. The Studio 2.0 represents a significant leap forward in automated indoor agriculture, featuring an AI-powered camera system that can identify plants, track their growth, and provide personalized care recommendations. For professionals who want fresh herbs and vegetables but lack gardening expertise or outdoor space, this...

read Sep 29, 2025

NY’s Alfred State gets $474K NSF grant for robotics technician training

Alfred State has been awarded a $474,019 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop educational pathways for robotics and automation technicians in agricultural and industrial sectors. The funding addresses the growing demand for skilled technicians in automation—a critical need for maintaining food security and supporting manufacturing workforces in rural areas. What you should know: The Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant will fund a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for high-paying automation careers through innovative educational strategies. Assistant Professors Jessica Hutchison and Dr. Mohamed Eleshaky are leading the project titled "Developing a Robotics and Automation Technician Pathway for the...

read Sep 26, 2025

Self-driving tractors transform North Dakota into autonomous agriculture capital

North Dakota has emerged as a leading hub for autonomous agriculture technology, with self-driving tractors now operating across the state's farms and roads. The region, dubbed the "farmer's Silicon Valley," is attracting stakeholders from across the industry to develop and deploy AI-powered farming solutions that promise unprecedented efficiencies in agricultural operations. What you should know: Fargo and surrounding areas have become the epicenter of autonomous agriculture innovation through coordinated public-private initiatives. Grand Farm, a local initiative, partners with Emerging Prairie, a North Dakota organization, to test and promote autonomous tractors in real farm settings across North Dakota and beyond. The...

read Sep 18, 2025

AI comes for the beekeeper with robotic hives that cut colony deaths by 70%

California-based startup Beewise has developed the BeeHome, an AI-powered robotic beehive system that can manage up to 10 traditional hives simultaneously while providing automated care for bee colonies. The technology addresses a critical agricultural crisis, as 40% of bee colonies are collapsing annually due to climate change impacts like stronger hurricanes, wildfires, and increased pesticide use—threatening the pollination of over one-third of crops humans consume. How it works: The BeeHome uses cameras and AI software to monitor individual bees and automatically respond to their needs through robotic interventions. "A robotic beehive is essentially like a traditional beehive. It's completely backwards...

read Sep 17, 2025

Researchers create AI-designed viruses that could take on “cabbage black rot,” among other bads

Stanford University researchers have successfully created functional viruses using AI-designed genomes, marking what they call "the first generative design of complete genomes." The breakthrough demonstrates AI's potential to design biological systems from scratch, opening new possibilities for treatments while raising important biosecurity concerns. How it works: Scientists trained an AI model called Evo on the genomes of about two million bacteriophage viruses to learn genetic patterns. The researchers focused on phiX174, a simple virus with only 11 genes and about 5,000 DNA letters that infects bacteria. They used the same underlying technology as ChatGPT, but instead of training on text,...

read Sep 3, 2025

Cornell dropout at helm of Orchard Robotics raises $22M for AI-powered fruit farm monitoring

Orchard Robotics, founded by Cornell dropout and Thiel Fellow Charlie Wu, has raised $22 million in Series A funding led by Quiet Capital and Shine Capital to expand its AI-powered farm vision technology. The startup uses tractor-mounted cameras and artificial intelligence to help fruit growers precisely monitor crop health, addressing a critical gap where even the largest U.S. farms rely on manual sampling to make crucial operational decisions. The founder's story: Wu was inspired by his apple farmer grandparents in China and discovered the agricultural technology gap while studying computer science at Cornell University, a leading agriculture school.• "I got...

read Aug 29, 2025

John Deere buys GUSS for AI sprayers that cut chemicals 90%

John Deere has completed its full acquisition of GUSS, the company behind autonomous electric orchard sprayers that use AI-powered weed detection technology. The deal formalizes a joint venture partnership that has been developing for years and positions Deere to capitalize on growing demand for agricultural automation driven by labor shortages and rising operational costs. What you should know: GUSS specializes in fully autonomous electric sprayers designed specifically for orchards and vineyards, addressing critical challenges in high-value crop production. The GUSS electric sprayer operates for 10-12 continuous hours on a single overnight charge using a 63 kWh Kreisel Battery Pack. Its...

read Aug 28, 2025

John Deere backs first robotics testing farm for agtech startups in Salinas, California

The Reservoir broke ground Wednesday as the first on-farm robotics hub dedicated to specialty crops in Salinas, California, providing agtech startups with a dedicated testing space for automation tools. The innovation farm aims to support California's agricultural sector by giving emerging technology companies a place to develop and refine solutions without disrupting working farms, with industry giant John Deere serving as a key partner. What you should know: The Reservoir will grow celery, lettuce, and strawberries while serving as a testing ground for agricultural technology startups. Danny Bernstein, CEO of The Reservoir, said their goal is to "support the startups,...

read Aug 25, 2025

Strawberry fields go clever: California farms deploy robots with UV light to kill pests without chemicals

California strawberry growers are deploying autonomous robots equipped with ultraviolet light and high-powered vacuums to combat pests without traditional pesticides. TRIC Robotics, a U.S.-based agricultural technology company, is leading this transformation with its Luna platform, offering farmers a full-service solution that promises to reduce chemical dependency while cutting labor costs and improving profitability. What you should know: The Luna platform represents a significant shift toward precision agriculture in one of California's most valuable crops.• The multi-row robot is designed specifically for strawberry farms and can carry various payloads, including UV treatment booms and bug vacuum systems.• TRIC Robotics positions this...

read Jul 28, 2025

Google’s Gemini AI hits 450M users as India strategy accelerates

Google's Gemini AI assistant has crossed a significant milestone, surpassing 450 million monthly active users while daily usage surged more than 50 percent compared to the previous quarter. This growth comes as Google deepens its artificial intelligence investments in India through a series of strategic initiatives targeting students, farmers, and developers. The user growth represents a major validation of Google's AI strategy, particularly as the company faces intensifying competition from OpenAI's ChatGPT and other AI assistants. Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing and Site Lead at Google India, announced the milestone on LinkedIn, noting the "growing momentum" behind the Gemini...

read Jul 7, 2025

Australian farmers cagey about complex features, desire straightforward AI automation

Australian farmers are approaching artificial intelligence with cautious pragmatism, expressing skepticism about Silicon Valley's promises while demanding simple, reliable automation tools. A new study involving over 35 interviews with livestock producers reveals that farmers want "more automation, less features" and worry about "shit in, shit out" data quality, challenging the tech industry's vision of agriculture's digital transformation. What farmers actually want: Australian livestock producers favor straightforward automation over complex AI systems with numerous features. The phrase "more automation, less features" captures their preference for technologies that reliably perform specific tasks rather than "everything apps" popular in Silicon Valley. Farmers want...

read Jul 1, 2025

AI microscope gets $2.3M to automate livestock parasite testing

Appalachian State University researchers have developed an AI-driven robotic microscope designed to automate fecal egg counting for livestock parasite detection, securing $2.3 million in funding from NCInnovation, a state program that supports commercializing research discoveries. The technology aims to reduce the time and cost of parasite testing while improving accuracy, potentially benefiting North Carolina's billion-dollar agricultural industry by preventing livestock deaths and reducing unnecessary treatments. How it works: The system combines three key technologies to automate a traditionally tedious manual process. A robotic microscope automatically moves around fecal samples and generates multiple images, creating large datasets for analysis. AI algorithms...

read May 21, 2025

New NH prediction model transforms agricultural market forecasting in Korea

The NH Prediction project represents a significant advance in agricultural price forecasting for the Korean market, addressing the critical challenge of price volatility that affects all participants in the food supply chain. By leveraging 40 years of historical wholesale price data and applying 14 advanced prediction models, this research aims to bring unprecedented accuracy to agricultural market forecasting through customized algorithms that account for the unique characteristics of Korean agriculture, including seasonal variations and structural market changes. The big picture: Researchers have developed NH Prediction, an AI-powered forecasting system specifically designed to address price volatility in Korean agricultural and fishery...

read May 9, 2025

World Bank boosts Uttar Pradesh’s economy toward $1 trillion goal

Uttar Pradesh is launching an ambitious agriculture and AI initiative with World Bank support, targeting digital skills development and agricultural transformation in underserved regions. The dual programs represent a strategic push to leverage technology for economic growth while addressing regional disparities, positioning India's most populous state for participation in emerging technology sectors. The big picture: The Uttar Pradesh government has launched two major World Bank-backed initiatives – 'UP AGREES' and 'AI Pragya' – designed to revolutionize agriculture and build AI capabilities across the state. The UP AGREES project will deploy Rs 2,737 crore ($365 million) over six years to transform...

read Apr 28, 2025

AI empowers rural communities in agriculture and more, closing digital gaps

Artificial Intelligence technologies offer transformative potential for bridging the digital divide in rural communities, where access to technological resources remains significantly limited compared to urban centers. By strategically implementing AI solutions in agriculture, education, and healthcare, these technologies can address longstanding challenges that have hindered rural development while supporting several UN Sustainable Development Goals. This approach represents a crucial opportunity to ensure technological progress benefits all segments of society rather than exacerbating existing inequalities. The big picture: AI implementation in rural areas requires a thoughtful approach that addresses infrastructure limitations while respecting local needs and building community trust. Approximately 2.9...

read Apr 21, 2025

The AI-powered egg farms that are revolutionizing farming

The UK government is investing £2.6 million in AI technology designed to revolutionize egg farming through advanced monitoring systems. This government-backed initiative aims to improve both animal welfare and farm productivity by applying artificial intelligence to detect hen health issues early, potentially leading to more eggs produced nationwide and cost savings for consumers. The technology represents a significant intersection of agriculture, AI, and sustainability goals. The big picture: The Flockwise system, developed by Oxford-based FAI Farms alongside industry partners, uses AI to analyze sensor data from egg farms, including listening to hen vocalizations to identify stress or illness. The technology...

read Apr 18, 2025

AI on the vine: Automation in winemaking is transforming vineyards

Artificial intelligence is transforming traditional farming practices through innovations like autonomous tractors, demonstrating how modern technology can enhance agricultural efficiency without replacing skilled labor. Napa Valley vineyard owner Tom Gamble represents a new wave of farmers embracing AI-powered equipment to achieve what he calls "precision farming"—using data-driven insights to make more informed decisions about crop management while simultaneously addressing economic pressures and environmental concerns. The big picture: AI integration in vineyards illustrates how businesses can supplement human labor with technology while creating more sustainable farming operations. Gamble purchased an autonomous tractor that is currently mapping his vineyard and will be...

read Apr 6, 2025

Report: AI transforming food industry through predictive analytics and data insights

AI is transforming food industry research and supply chains by enabling predictive analytics and data-driven insights, according to a new MIT Technology Review Insights report. The study examines how artificial intelligence can help meet growing global food demands while ensuring resilient supplies and reducing environmental impact. While large agricultural companies are leading AI implementation through strategic partnerships, fragmented data practices remain a significant barrier to unlocking the technology's full potential across the industry. The big picture: Advanced AI systems are revolutionizing food product development and supply chain management, but comprehensive data strategies remain a critical challenge for widespread implementation. The...

read Mar 21, 2025

AI and automation aim to attract youth to farming while creating new jobs

Automation and AI are transforming agriculture through advanced technologies that enhance workforce productivity while addressing labor shortages. As farming continues to shift from a once-dominant profession to one requiring fewer but more technically skilled workers, innovative companies are developing solutions that make agricultural work more precise, efficient, and appealing to younger generations. These technologies don't aim to replace human workers but rather augment their capabilities, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks while automation handles repetitive operations. The big picture: Modern farming is evolving through automation and AI that enable precision agriculture while potentially making the profession more attractive to...

read Mar 19, 2025

Gates and Modi partner on AI solutions for India’s development goals

Bill Gates' meeting with Prime Minister Modi represents a significant milestone in the growing technology collaboration between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and India. Their discussions focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and innovation to address pressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and climate change, aligning with India's development goals for becoming a developed nation by 2047. This partnership highlights how public-private collaborations are shaping the future of technology implementation in developing economies. The big picture: Bill Gates met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India to discuss advancements in health, agriculture, and artificial intelligence as part of broader cooperation between...

read Feb 10, 2025

AI transforms agriculture across Africa and beyond, from language translation to drones

The agricultural sector is undergoing significant transformation through artificial intelligence applications, particularly in developing regions like Africa where farming challenges are acute. While much attention focuses on AI advancement in major economies, practical AI implementations in agriculture are creating meaningful impact in food security and sustainable farming practices. Current State of Agricultural AI: Traditional farming faces multiple challenges including disease management, weather unpredictability, and resource limitations, particularly in developing regions where these issues directly impact global food security. In Ghana, recent cocoa crop diseases have demonstrated how agricultural challenges can affect both local economies and global supply chains Farmers in...

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