TLDR: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has unveiled the world’s first agrifood foundation AI model and launched the ‘Robotics for Good – Youth Challenge 2025–2026’. These initiatives aim to harness artificial intelligence and robotics to address global food security challenges, enhance agricultural practices, and bridge the digital divide, particularly for smallholder farmers.
Geneva, Switzerland – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is spearheading a transformative shift in global agrifood systems with the piloting of the world’s first agrifood foundation AI model. This landmark initiative was announced at the recent AI for Good Summit in Geneva, where FAO, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), also launched the ‘Robotics for Good – Youth Challenge 2025–2026’. This global competition invites young innovators aged 12 to 18 to design and build robots aimed at solving critical food security issues.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu delivered a compelling keynote address, underscoring the immense potential of artificial intelligence to reshape and improve agrifood systems worldwide. He emphasized the growing concern of the digital divide, noting that ‘2.6 billion people are still offline and rural communities in low-income countries are disproportionately excluded.’ Dongyu stressed that without concerted efforts to ensure digital inclusivity, AI’s capacity to alleviate poverty, bolster climate resilience, and stimulate agricultural innovation will remain out of reach for many vulnerable populations.
The FAO is actively integrating AI into practical, affordable, and locally relevant tools designed specifically for farmers. A prime example of this is the deployment of AI-powered advisory services, tailored for smallholder farmers and delivered in their local languages. Through strategic partnerships, such as with Digital Green, the FAO has already achieved significant cost reductions in farmer support services, bringing the cost down from an estimated $30 to just $3 per farmer, with further efficiencies anticipated.
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Beyond advisory services, the organization is leveraging AI in advanced remote sensing and geospatial analysis. This technology enables precise monitoring of crucial agricultural indicators, including drought conditions, water stress levels, land use patterns, crop types, and forest health. Furthermore, the FAO is deploying sophisticated predictive models to enhance farmer decision-making regarding critical activities like sowing, harvesting, and marketing. By utilizing open-source Big Data, the organization can proactively detect food insecurity risks before they escalate into full-blown crises, allowing for timely interventions. The ‘Robotics for Good – Youth Challenge,’ now in its second edition, is a testament to FAO’s commitment to empowering the next generation to contribute to sustainable agriculture through robotics and AI, with FAO providing essential mentorship and technical guidance via its Youth Innovation Lab and research platforms.
