Amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), there is growing interest in using AI as a tool to advance food systems transformation. AI has significant potential to transform policy research in food, land, and water systems (FLWS) by enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness in policy analysis, but only if tools are rigorously tested, made transparent, and appropriately integrated into research and decision-making processes.

This seminar brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to examine how AI is being developed, financed, deployed, and governed across FLWS in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the resulting implications for food policy research. Speakers will discuss current applications of AI, emerging trends, and political and economic forces shaping its use. Attendees will gain perspectives on governance, inclusion, and design, including how to ensure AI systems respond to real-world constraints and contribute to public value rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.

Attendees will come away with three key insights:

• An understanding of the broad and growing landscape of AI innovation in FLWS
• Insights into how AI can most effectively strengthen policy research
• Practical reflections from leading experts on responsible and equitable AI in FLWS

Welcome Remarks

• Jawoo Koo, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

Landscape of AI Innovation in Food, Land, and Water Systems

Speakers will present a landscape analysis of AI innovation across food, land, and water systems, looking at current applications, emerging trends, and key gaps, with a focus on how AI is being developed and deployed in low- and middle-income countries.

• Monisha Lakshminarayanan, Principal Consultant, Athena Infonomics (Presentation)
• Zeba Siddiqui, Senior Consultant, Athena Infonomics (Presentation)

Shaping the Enabling Environment: Policy and Political Economy of AI

This session examines how public and private investment, regulatory frameworks, and data governance are shaping the development and adoption of AI in FLWS. Speakers will also reflect on the evolving AI policy landscape in low- and middle-income countries and its implications for innovation.

• Judy Chambers, Director – Program for Biosafety Systems, IFPRI (Presentation)

Testing Solutions (RIAPA Demo)

This live demonstration showcases an example of how AI can be used to support policy research. It will illustrate how AI tools can make complex models more accessible and responsive, while highlighting considerations for their effective use in research and in informing policy and investment decisions.

• Askar Mukashov, Research Fellow, IFPRI (Presentation)

Panel Discussion: AI for Policy and Practice in Food, Land, and Water Systems

The seminar features a panel discussion bringing together leading experts from academia, industry, and international research to reflect on the opportunities and risks of AI in FLWS.

Moderated by Eliot Jones-Garcia, Senior Research Analyst, IFPRI

• Joyce Nabende Nakatumba, Senior Lecturer, Makerere University
• Benjamin Cattermoul, Partnership Manager – FCDO & the Gates Foundation; Food and Agriculture Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
• Tavonga Siyavora, Product Lead, Google Research Africa
• Rajesh Veeraraghavan, Associate Professor, Georgetown University

Moderator

• Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI