On the sidelines of COP28 UAE, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first research university focused on AI, and Silal, an agri-food company based in Abu Dhabi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring AI innovation to agriculture and food production.

The agreement will support the creation of a joint AI Centre of Excellence with the potential to enable the UAE to develop and expand its food production sector while improving food security and sustainability.

MBZUAI’s Vice President of Public Affairs and Alumni Relations, Sultan Al Hajji, and Salmeen Alameri, Silal’s Chief Executive Officer, signed the MoU during the COP28 Thematic Day: Food, Agriculture, and Water. Under the agreement, MBZUAI and Silal will conduct joint research to accelerate the use of AI in farming and food systems and exchange technical knowledge, expertise, and resources.

MBZUAI and Silal will also provide a framework for the transfer and commercialisation of research, including support for startups and business spinouts with the potential to raise efficiency, production, and innovation in the UAE’s food sector.

Al Hajji said, “MBZUAI and Silal will work together to develop AI innovation for agriculture and food production by creating new opportunities to combine our resources, and develop and commercialise research, empowering the sector to produce quality food in the most sustainable way possible.”

“This partnership aligns with the National Strategy for Food Security 2051 to develop a comprehensive national system based on enabling sustainable food production using modern technologies and enhancing local production.”

Commenting on the signing, Salmeen Alameri said, "Embracing a collaborative journey with MBZUAI strengthens Silal's dedication to pioneering AI innovation in agriculture and food production. This partnership unlocks vast potential, enhancing our research capabilities and propelling us towards a more robust and resilient food system for the future."

Experts have identified several important use cases for deploying AI in the agricultural sector, such as predictive insights related to weather data, crop output, and pricing predictions. AI also has a key role in advancing phenotyping and crop discovery, enabling farmers to identify genes with the most suitable traits to withstand disease, pests, and the impact of climate change faster and more effectively.