Discover how the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is transforming the agrifood industry with AI-driven solutions. Learn about key projects, sector-specific achievements, and future initiatives.
The future of agriculture lies in innovation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation. The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is driving productivity and efficiency across high-growth industries, including agrifood. By addressing challenges and harnessing AI’s potential, the programme aims to empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme
BridgeAI is a strategic initiative designed to support UK businesses in adopting AI technologies. With a £100 million investment, BridgeAI focuses on sectors like agrifood, construction, creative industries, and transport. The programme connects businesses with developers, tools, and training to create impactful AI solutions.
Research shows a £9.2 billion opportunity across these sectors, and BridgeAI is dedicated to unlocking this potential. The programme addresses skills gaps, provides funding, and champions responsible AI innovation to ensure that AI technologies are integrated effectively and ethically.
AI applications in the agrifood sector
Agriculture plays a crucial role in our economy, providing 54% of the UK’s food and ensuring food security. However, the sector faces significant challenges, including labour shortages and the need for sustainable practices. AI-powered tools can help farmers overcome these obstacles and boost productivity. Here are five key AI development opportunities in the agrifood sector:
- Personalised farm optimiser
Challenge: Farm yields depend on numerous variables, yet many decisions are based on intuition and past experiences.
Solution: AI can process vast amounts of data to provide decision-making support, optimising inputs and interventions to increase yields efficiently. - Precision pest control
Challenge: Farmers often use pesticides indiscriminately, leading to excessive use and environmental damage.
Solution: AI systems can identify and target pest infestations precisely, reducing pesticide use and costs. - Live farm monitoring
Challenge: Continuous monitoring of crops and livestock is time-consuming and often imprecise.
Solution: AI-powered monitoring systems detect changes and flag issues in real time, improving accuracy and saving time. - Automated form filler
Challenge: Farmers spend valuable hours filling out forms for subsidies and compliance.
Solution: AI can automate data collection and form filling, significantly reducing the administrative burden. - Yield predictor
Challenge: Strategic decisions are often based on short-term market predictions rather than long-term forecasts.
Solution: AI can predict long-term yield quality and quantity, helping farmers make informed decisions.
Funded projects in agrifood
Innovate UK has funded over 150 projects through BridgeAI, many of which focus on agrifood. Here are some notable examples:
- FloraFold: AI for crop disease resistance
Combining AI, computational biology, and empirical validation, this project enhances plant-parasite interaction analysis, promoting sustainable agriculture. - Intelligent agricultural predictive maintenance system
This project uses AI and IoT to optimise processes and reduce emissions, improving productivity through predictive maintenance. - ClimaHarvest: Intelligent climate control for indoor farming
A self-learning climate control system that manages HVAC in vertical farming, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. - AIquaBoost: AI-driven aquaculture
This project integrates AI and IoT to reduce egg mortality rates in fish farming, enhancing profitability and sustainability. - FlockFinder: Generative AI for livestock health
Using AI to diagnose livestock diseases from observed symptoms, improving animal welfare and farm performance.
AI is transforming the agrifood sector, offering innovative solutions to long-standing challenges. The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is at the forefront of this revolution, empowering businesses to adopt AI responsibly and effectively.
By connecting developers and adopters, providing crucial support, and championing ethical AI innovation, BridgeAI is paving the way for a more productive and sustainable future.
Are you ready to harness the power of AI in your agricultural business?
Explore the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme and discover how AI can drive productivity and sustainability in the agrifood sector.
Download the BridgeAI Annual Report and join us at the A3 event to learn more about the transformative potential of AI.
