The South’s New Era of AI Farming
Agriculture drives communities across the Southeast, powering economies and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. As growers face rising pressures from pests, labor shortages and climate challenges, the University of Florida is helping shape a more resilient future through artificial intelligence. UF broke ground last month on the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Hillsborough County, launching a new regional hub for innovation.
The 40,000 square foot facility reflects years of planning. Scott Angle, UF’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, describes it as “the cradle for the next technological leaps forward made possible by a 150 year old land grant model of academia industry government partnership.”
AI scientists at the center will collaborate with researchers to improve plant breeding, reduce chemical use and develop robotics that can take on labor intensive tasks. With an estimated 100 employees and strong support for startups and workforce training, the center aims to strengthen agriculture throughout the Southeast.
