Yongsheng Chen, the Bonnie W. and Charles W. Moorman IV Professor at Georgia Tech's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to spearhead efforts to enhance sustainable agriculture practices through innovative AI solutions.

The collaborative project, named EAGER: AI4OPT-AG: Advancing Quad Collaboration via Digital Agriculture and Optimization, is a joint effort initiated by Georgia Tech and involves esteemed institutions in Japan, Australia, and India. The project aims to drive advancements in digital agriculture and optimization, ultimately supporting food security for future generations.

Chen, also serving as the Urban Sustainability and Resilience Thrust leader for the NSF Artificial Intelligence Research Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT), expressed his excitement about the opportunity. "I am thrilled to lead this initiative, which marks a significant step forward in harnessing AI to address pressing challenges in sustainable agriculture," he stated.

Highlighting the significance of AI in revolutionizing agriculture, Chen explained, "AI enables swift, accurate, and non-destructive assessments of plant productivity, optimizes nutritional content, and enhances fertilizer usage efficiency. These advancements are crucial for mitigating agriculture-related greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change challenges." 

AI4OPT-AG is supported under the Quad AI-ENGAGE initiative, aligns with the broader goal of propelling innovation in agriculture through critical technologies.

To read the full agreement, click here.