Can AI Help Fight Hunger?

With the world population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the United Nations warns that we must find sustainable ways to produce and distribute food or risk widespread hunger and food insecurity. As technology becomes more sophisticated, so does our ability to use it for social good. Enter artificial intelligence (AI). AI is already being used in several industries, and some experts think it has the potential to transform the food system as we know it. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are providing innovative solutions to help fight hunger in a number of different ways. Here’s a look at how AI can help fight hunger and food insecurity on a global scale.   

Ways AI Can Help Fight Hunger  

A.I. can help increase crop yields, reduce food waste, and make food distribution more efficient. Here’s a closer look at how each of these things can be accomplished:   

• Increasing Crop Yields: Agricultural scientists are using AI to develop new crop varieties that are more resistant to disease and pests, can withstand extreme weather conditions, and require less water and fertilizer. One example is cereal grains such as wheat and rice. In 2018, researchers used AI to develop a new type of drought-resistant wheat, which could be a game-changer for farmers in drought-prone regions.

  Additionally, by using data on soil composition, weather patterns, and other factors, AI-powered systems can provide farmers with precise recommendations for when and how much fertilizer and water should be used for optimal growth. This helps farmers optimize their resources and increase their yields without wasting valuable time or resources.

• Reducing Food Waste: It’s estimated that about one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted before it even has a chance to be eaten—that’s 1.3 billion tons of food every year! A lot of this waste occurs during transportation when perishable goods spoil before they reach their destination. A.I.-powered sensors can monitor the condition of goods in transit and alert suppliers when there are issues so that corrective action can be taken quickly—thus reducing waste. 
• Improving Food Distribution: The final piece of the puzzle is ensuring that food gets where it needs to go—which is often easier said than done in regions with limited infrastructure. In many parts of the world, food distribution is inefficient and inequitable, with large amounts of food going to waste while millions of people go hungry. AI can help to address this problem by optimizing food distribution networks and improving access to food in underserved areas.

  For example, AI can predict demand for certain foods and then route supplies accordingly. AI can also be used to identify areas where there is a high risk of hunger and then direct resources to those areas.