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Amii helping agrifood companies become more sustainable, more productive with artificial intelligence

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The use of artificial intelligence across all sectors is growing. Canada’s ingredient processing and food manufacturing sector is no exception, with companies across the country looking at how they may be able to incorporate the technology into their own work. Many, however, have found they need outside expertise to help them better understand the technology’s fit—which is where organizations like Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) can help.

“With our access to a vast network of world-leading AI researchers, and thinkers, Amii builds bridges that translate scientific breakthroughs into trailblazing industry applications—working with more than 300 clients in the past three years across sectors, including agriculture,” Amii Vice-President of Investments and Partnerships Russ Erickson said. “Amii is also committed to nurturing the future of AI talent by providing work-integrated opportunities, residencies, and training programs tailored to cultivate the essential AI skills required by organizations and industries.”

As AI’s potential in the agrifood sector has developed, Amii, too, has expanded its focus in the area. Erickson believes AI can be used to enhance the sector’s efficiency, productivity, sustainability and decision-making processes, but reaching that point requires robust databases and skillsets.

The organization has taken several steps to help the sector build capacity in both areas. In 2023, it worked with Protein Industries Canada to launch the Data Readiness Improvement Program (DRIP), which is designed to support companies in increasing their AI literacy, identify opportunities to apply machine learning in their specific business problems and prepare them to invest in AI and ML technology.

Additionally, the organization works directly with companies across Canada to build capacity to launch AI and ML across their operations. This includes a recent research partnership with New Harvest and Schmidt Futures, exploring the potential of AI and ML in advancing cellular agriculture. They intend to make the research open-sourced once complete so that others can leverage it.

“Without a doubt, AI is making a big impact across industries, and there is a growing need to understand what the technology is and how to use it so we can all make informed decisions on how we apply the tools,” Erickson said. “The incredible thing about applying AI/ML is being able to address complex global challenges such as over-farming and supply-chain constraints. By focusing on advancing AI science and helping our clients successfully integrate AI into their operations, we have the potential to have a massive impact on global sustainable development areas including climate action, zero hunger, clean water and sanitation—that would in turn benefit everyone around the world.”

As Amii’s work to help companies understand how they can utilize AI and ML continues, so will the roll-out of AI and ML across the agrifood sector. With that will come a rippling out of benefits, leading to a stronger, more sustainable Canada.