Key Takeaways
- The UAE AI agriculture ecosystem has introduced a new platform focused on deploying artificial intelligence solutions to climate-exposed agricultural regions worldwide.
- The initiative builds on the $200 million UAE–Gates Foundation partnership announced at COP28.
- Four major programs—CGIAR AI Hub, IAAI, AgriLLM, and AIM for Scale—form the backbone of the global ecosystem.
- Leadership from Mariam Almheiri and Bill Gates highlighted the initiative’s role in supporting smallholder farmers most affected by climate volatility.
- The platform integrates UAE-based AI institutions with global partners to turn research into deployable solutions for vulnerable farming communities.
UAE AI Agriculture Ecosystem Unveils Global Platform at Abu Dhabi Event
The UAE AI agriculture ecosystem has formally launched Abu Dhabi’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, a comprehensive platform designed to deliver artificial intelligence tools to agricultural regions facing escalating climate pressures. The launch builds on the $200 million UAE–Gates Foundation partnership announced at COP28, now entering its third year of progress.
The announcement was made in the presence of Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, and Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation. Following the launch, both participated in the UAE–Gates Partnership Showcase, an immersive presentation demonstrating how Abu Dhabi’s technology and research capabilities are being mobilized to support climate-vulnerable farmers around the world.
Four Initiatives Form the Core of the Global Deployment Strategy
The new system brings together scientific research, AI development, digital advisory services, and field implementation through four landmark programs:
CGIAR AI Hub
Hosted by ai71 in Abu Dhabi, the CGIAR AI Hub serves as a global collaborative workspace and aims to position the UAE as a central node in agricultural AI. Leveraging CGIAR’s 50-year research archive, the hub focuses on transforming agricultural data into actionable digital tools.
Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director, stated that the ecosystem’s scientific foundation and collaborative model will enhance decision-making, policy guidance, and digital adoption for both Global South and Global North farming communities.
Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI)
Based at MBZUAI, the IAAI provides digital advisory capabilities, training programs, and technical assistance. Its services are designed to support governments, NGOs, and partners in strengthening food security for more than 43 million smallholder farmers.
AgriLLM
Developed by ai71, AgriLLM is an open-source agricultural large language model trained on extensive agronomic datasets. The system powers AI agents capable of offering region-specific, role-based agricultural guidance for climate adaptation and resource management. The model will be released as a public good for global use and modification.
AIM for Scale
Jointly funded by the UAE and the Gates Foundation and based at NYU Abu Dhabi, AIM for Scale focuses on AI-driven weather forecasting and digital advisory services. Its ambition is to reach 100 million farmers by 2030, supported by recent large-scale deployments such as India’s AI-powered monsoon forecast program reaching 38 million farmers in 2025.
A Global Collaboration Bridging AI Expertise and Local Agricultural Needs
The ecosystem is built through a collaborative network that includes the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, MBZUAI, NYU Abu Dhabi, ai71, and international partners such as CGIAR, the Gates Foundation, and the World Bank. Collectively, they convert advanced AI research into practical solutions for farmers and policymakers.
Mariam Almheiri noted that the initiative is designed to protect communities most exposed to climate volatility by connecting UAE AI capabilities with global partners. Bill Gates emphasized the importance of giving smallholder farmers practical tools to adapt to extreme weather conditions.
Turning AI Innovation into Field-Level Impact
The UAE AI agriculture ecosystem is structured to span the entire innovation chain—from scientific discovery and model development to field deployment in climate-vulnerable regions. With global collaborations, capacity-building programs, and open-source tools, the system aims to expand access to agricultural AI solutions worldwide.
