Transforming Agrifood Systems Through Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and High-Performance Computing

Technology is key to new solutions the world needs in transitioning to a sustainable, food-secure future. The challenges to ensuring food and nutrition for all have mounted with compounding crises, and in response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has redefined its approach to cooperation and partnerships – forging and reinforcing those that can deliver transformative impact – and driving innovation across its work.

As the world grapples with escalating food insecurity in the context of climate change and population growth, the partnership between FAO and Mississippi State University (MSU) is a strong example of collaboration and innovation. One area of partnership focus on is artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing and data science for agrifood systems, and on 25 June 2025, FAO and MSU came together at FAO headquarters to explore how these cutting-edge technologies can help build resilient, sustainable food systems and help ensure food security and nutrition globally.

More than 295 million people across 53 countries faced acute food insecurity in 2024. Despite global efforts, the crisis persists, driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability. FAO’s Deputy Director for Partnerships and UN Collaboration, Fatouma Seid, emphasized that transformative partnerships are no longer optional – they are essential.

Mississippi State University: a legacy of innovation

MSU has a long-standing commitment to agricultural advancement. As a land-grant institution with over USD 350 million in annual research expenditures, of which USD 100 million is dedicated to agriculture, it is at the forefront of agri-tech innovation. Stressing the urgency of preparing for a world population projected to exceed 10 billion by 2050, MSU President, Mark Keenum, outlined the university’s deployment of advanced technologies, such as high-performance computing to simulate crop growth and optimize supply chains; AI and precision agriculture to enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact; and the use of unmanned aerial systems and geospatial tools for real-time agricultural monitoring. MSU’s Atlas supercomputer, used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, exemplifies the university’s capacity to support global research initiatives.

MSU is fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, from collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to its work with FAO. As highlighted by MSU’s Provost and former Vice President for Research, David Shaw, MSU exemplifies how academic institutions can serve as key enablers in global development.

FAO’s innovation agenda

While technology is vital, the real challenge lies in translating global innovations into local impact, especially for smallholder farmers. Director of FAO’s Office of Innovation, Vincent Martin, echoed Keenum’s call for responsible and inclusive innovation, emphasizing that FAO has several initiatives underway to employ innovation throughout its programmes of work. These include the Agri-food System Technology and Innovation Outlook (ATIO), an open-source database of global agri-food innovations set to launch in October; the Digital Agriculture and AI Roadmap, which provides a framework to ensure ethical, inclusive deployment of AI in agriculture; development of Regional Innovation Hubs to scale agroecological transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the long-standing successful Farmer Field Schools, which are being modernized with digital tools and behavioural science to enhance adoption of innovations.

However, innovation is not just about high-tech solutions. Manuel Barange, FAO’s Assistant Director-General and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, expanded the definition, citing examples such as policy innovations and low-tech advancements, emphasizing that innovation must be context-specific and inclusive, with partnerships playing a central role in scaling-up solutions.

A call to action

Jocelyn Brown Hall, Director of FAO’s Liaison Office in North America, closed the session with a powerful reminder: agriculture is complex, and science is under threat. She urged continued investment in partnerships, a willingness to embrace failure as a learning tool, and a collective commitment to evidence-based solutions. Brown Hall praised MSU’s contributions and called for deeper collaboration across sectors to address the intertwined challenges of hunger, climate change and sustainability.

The future of food security lies at the intersection of science, technology and collaboration. By combining global expertise with local action, and by fostering inclusive, ethical innovation, partnerships like FAO-MSU offer a roadmap to transform agrifood systems worldwide. As the world races to feed a growing population with finite resources, we must innovate together.