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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

• Zeba Siddiqui, Senior Consultant, Athena Infonomics
• Monisha Lakshminarayanan, Principal Consultant, Athena Infonomics

Shaping the Enabling Environment: Policy and Political Economy of AI

• Eliot Jones-Garcia, Senior Research Analyst, IFPRI
• Judy Chambers, Director – Program for Biosafety Systems, IFPRI

Testing Solutions (RIAPA Demo)

• Askar Mukashov, Research Fellow, IFPRI

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

• Rajesh Veeraraghavan, Associate Professor, Georgetown University
• Tavonga Siyavora, Product Lead, Google Research Africa
• Joyce Nabende Nakatumba, Senior Lecturer, Makerere University

Moderator

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