Artificial Intelligence Tools to Be Developed to Protect Food Production
With funding provided by the National Science Foundation, early warning technologies will be produced to protect agricultural and aquaculture systems from environmental threats.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received $2 million in funding to develop artificial intelligence tools aimed at detecting environmental threats in food production systems at an early stage.
Purpose and Scope of the Project
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been tasked with developing artificial intelligence-powered tools to identify factors threatening food production systems before they become major problems. This work comes at a time when public health officials continue to investigate foodborne disease outbreaks.
Interinstitutional Cooperation
The project is supported by a total grant of $4 million under the National Science Foundation's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is carrying out this multi-institutional effort in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Technical Methods and Process
The four-year project, which officially began on September 1, combines artificial intelligence with environmental sampling, advanced genetic analysis, and high-resolution chemical analysis methods. Through this approach, it aims to monitor risks to aquaculture, livestock, and agricultural systems.
Research Team and Objectives
Led by principal investigator Tao Yan, the project brings together researchers from different departments to create early warning technologies against microbial pathogens and chemical pollutants.