TLDR:
• UAE unveils AI for farmers
• AI aids crop planning
• Tech drives UAE climate goals
BAKU (The Thursday Times) — The UAE has once again raised the bar in technological innovation, revealing its latest endeavour: the world’s first AI tool designed specifically for the global agricultural community. Dubbed “CHAG” (Chat + Ag), the tool is the culmination of over 50 years of research, with advanced capabilities aimed at empowering farmers worldwide, particularly those dealing with adverse climate conditions. This announcement, made by Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office in the UAE Presidential Court, has underscored the UAE’s growing role as a leader in AI and sustainable development initiatives.
Agricultural resilience
CHAG’s role is both revolutionary and timely, offering smallholder farmers a lifeline through AI-driven insights on crop planning, weather adaptations, and soil management. By making scientific data actionable, CHAG addresses the day-to-day challenges of farming in challenging environments. Almheiri’s remarks at COP29 emphasised that this tool will translate complex climate forecasts into digestible and practical advice for farmers, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to social innovation through AI.
In collaboration with AIM for Scale and the Gates Foundation, the UAE showcased its investment in creating AI-based public goods that cater to more than a billion smallholders worldwide. Sessions at the UAE Pavilion emphasised the UAE’s strategic focus on AI and technology as a means to empower underserved communities. CHAG’s anticipated impact reflects the UAE’s holistic approach, integrating public-private partnerships to support agricultural resilience and boost crop productivity globally.
Climate action through innovative tech
At COP29, the UAE highlighted its integrated approach to climate and technology, demonstrating initiatives like the ALTÉRRA fund for carbon markets and scaling hydrogen as a future aviation fuel. Opening discussions focused on how the UAE is positioning itself as a pioneer in harnessing AI for sustainable climate action, marking a broader national shift towards data-driven green economic growth. By fostering advancements in the carbon markets and climate reporting, the UAE aims to drive systemic climate action that is both impactful and scalable.
Decentralised energy solutions
With a keen emphasis on decentralised solutions, COP29 sessions showcased pioneering energy projects and partnerships. Zayed Sustainability Prize winners discussed how small-scale, tech-enabled models are vital for achieving sustainable energy goals. Underlining the need for policy to match technological advancements, these discussions illustrated the UAE’s vision of integrating innovation with national and global climate targets.
Further sessions underscored the UAE’s ambition to integrate AI across all facets of its climate strategy. Local leaders and global partners focused on the transformative potential of AI in energy transition and emission tracking. With innovative frameworks like the UAE National MRV-Transparency System for greenhouse gas monitoring, AI’s role in real-time, precise climate reporting was celebrated as a game-changer in reducing emissions across sectors.
