Abu Dhabi’s AI Platform Supports Farmers and Climate Solutions

The United Arab Emirates has officially launched the Abu Dhabi AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, a platform aimed at supporting farmers in regions affected by climate change and extreme weather. The initiative is part of the UAE–Gates Foundation partnership, initially announced at COP28 with a $200 million investment, to accelerate agricultural innovation. The launch event was attended by Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, and Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation. The platform brings together research, AI expertise, and technology from Abu Dhabi to help communities most impacted by shifting weather patterns.

The ecosystem operates through four key initiatives: the CGIAR AI Hub, the Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI), AgriLLM, and AIM for Scale. The CGIAR AI Hub, hosted in Abu Dhabi, will use over 50 years of agricultural data and research to develop digital tools and solutions for global farmers. IAAI provides advisory support, training programs, and technical assistance to governments, NGOs, and partner organizations, focusing on improving food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

AgriLLM is an open-source AI model designed to deliver agricultural insights and guidance in multiple languages. It uses extensive agricultural datasets, research papers, and real farming questions to provide practical recommendations for climate adaptation, resource management, and sustainable farming practices. This model will be publicly accessible, allowing farmers, researchers, and organizations to use, modify, and build upon it freely.

AIM for Scale, based at NYU Abu Dhabi, focuses on AI-powered weather forecasting and digital advisory services. It has already reached millions of farmers in India with AI-driven monsoon forecasts and aims to expand its reach to over 100 million farmers globally by 2030. The program ensures that scientific research and advanced AI solutions are translated into practical tools that directly benefit farmers facing unpredictable climate conditions.

Mariam Almheiri emphasized that the UAE is harnessing artificial intelligence to provide real solutions for farmers worldwide. Bill Gates added that this initiative strengthens food security and empowers smallholder farmers. The collaborative effort also involves key partners, including MBZUAI, NYU Abu Dhabi, ai71, CGIAR, and the World Bank, creating a unified system to apply AI in agriculture. This platform represents a major step in using technology and innovation to secure a sustainable agricultural future.