Webinar Series – AI for Food Systems Research

29 January 2026. From Foundations to Field: Lessons from Microsoft and Reply’s Work in Agriculture

CGIAR/IFPRI webinar in the AI for Food Systems Research series — panel exploring how AI and digital tools are used in agricultural decision-making, innovation adoption, and research-to-practice translation

See the recording here

As large language models (LLMs) and generative AI systems evolve, understanding how these technologies work—and what they can realistically achieve—has become essential for researchers and practitioners alike. 

• The session began with a deep dive from Sean Smith of Reply/Microsoft, who will unpack the core principles behind AI and LLMs—how these models are trained and what their strengths and limitations are across different use contexts.
• Building on this foundation, Ryan McCamy, also from Reply/Microsoft, showcased practical use cases in the agricultural sector. He demonstrated how AI-driven tools are being designed and deployed to enhance decision-making, streamline knowledge management, and support sustainable food system innovation.
• Lina Yassin, Digital & Data Product Director with the CGIAR Digital Transformation Initiative, who will led the discussion and offered reflections from the perspective of CGIAR’s applied research and digital innovation portfolio.

The presentations bridged the gap between technical innovation and agricultural impact—highlighting how cutting-edge AI models can be harnessed responsibly to address real-world challenges while remaining attentive to local context, data ethics, and user trust.

Open Forum: Agricultural Evolution at the World Economic Forum

22 January 20216.  The global food system is under mounting strain. Feeding a growing population amid climate disruption, resource scarcity and nutritional inequality demands transformation. As innovations in farming, ingredients and supply chain move from theory to practice, the challenge is to scale solutions that are both people and planet positive. 

The forum explored how food systems around the world are evolving and what it will take to transition them toward sustainability, resilience and inclusion. Participants discussed ways to build systems that expand consumer choice, support and sustain farmers, and restore environmental health — all while ensuring greater equity and access in food production and distribution.

• Christian Frutiger — President, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland
• Nyifamu Manzo — Director of Global Programs, Heifer International 
• Alice Ruhweza — Africa Regional Director, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International
• Sam Kass — Former White House Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition and Executive Director, Let’s Move! Initiative 
• Sabrina Dhowre Elba — UN Goodwill Ambassador, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Herman Betten — Former Director of Crops, CGIAR (title most frequently used in international agricultural research contexts)