Harnessing Data Science and AI for Collaborative Advances in Production Agriculture
A FORUM HOSTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Join leading faculty and experts from diverse fields to uncover how data science and artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping the future of agriculture and natural resource management in Alabama.
This forum aims to:
- advance research in AI-driven agriculture and sustainability
- provide a platform for identifying key challenges and opportunities in AI applications for production agriculture and natural resource management, and
- develop a roadmap with actionable recommendations for Auburn University faculty and administration.
It will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, lightning talks, a poster session and dedicated networking opportunities to foster meaningful collaborations. Organized by an interdisciplinary team from Auburn University and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, the event brings together experts from the Colleges of Agriculture, Sciences & Mathematics, and Engineering, as well as Alabama Extension.
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025
7:45-5:30
THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND DIXON CONFERENCE CENTER GRAND BALLROOM II
REGISTER FOR FREE BY MARCH 1
Who is invited to the Forum: Faculty, Students, and University Administration interested in learning about the potential of Data Science and AI for advancing Production Agriculture. Faculty who are also interested in exploring collaboration with CSAM, Engineering, and Agriculture. We are also inviting representatives from Industry and representatives of organizations in food and agriculture.
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT BY MARCH 1 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BOTH ORAL AND POSTER PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITIES.
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRENDA ORTIZ, bortiz@auburn.edu and NEDRET BILLOR, billone@auburn.edu
FORUM SCHEDULE
*Tentative schedule. Subject to change.
7:45 AM Registration
8:30 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:40 AM Forum’s purpose, goals, and program overview
8:50 AM Keynote Speakers
- Speaker 1 – University of Florida’s efforts to build and strengthen the use of AI across campus, especially teaching and research (Dr. Kati Migliaccio – UFL)
- Speaker 2 – Multidisciplinary Efforts in Advance Sweet Potato Production in North Carolina (Dr.Cranos Williams – NCSU)
10:00 AM Break
10:15 AM Current AU cross-campus efforts to strengthen research and teaching focused on AI and Data Science (Dr. Gerry Dozier and Dr. Nedret Billor)
10:40 AM AU faculty will highlight their research focused on AI/Data Science and potential applications in Ag (Crop and Animal Production, Natural Resources- Climate included, and other applications that can support Prod Ag)
12:30 PM Networking Lunch and Poster Session
Graduate students and faculty will present posters
2:00 PM AU faculty will highlight their research focused on AI/Data Science applied to Ag or with potential applications in Ag (continuation). Presentations on Data Sci/AI funded projects
2:45 PM Facilitated working session: Four breakout rooms- Participants will go through a series of pre-determined questions.
- Needs/Opportunities in Teaching/Workforce development (What is needed to enhance curriculum and training programs)
- Needs/Opportunities in Crop and Animal Production
- Needs/Opportunities in Natural Resources and Ag. Extension
- Partnerships and Funding Opportunities
3:45 PM Closing Panel Discussion – Opportunities to Advance Production Agriculture using Data Science and AI
- Bridging disciplines to solve agricultural problems* Fostering research partnerships
- Needs to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs in Ag that could be addressed using Data Sci. and AI
4:30 PM Reports from Facilitated Working Sessions and Discussion of Next Steps
5:30 PM Adjourn
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
DR. KATI MIGLIACCIO
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean
Dr. Migliaccio has experience in different types of systems, including agricultural, natural, and urban. As a faculty member, she was instrumental in developing some of the first Smartphone Apps for irrigation management that incorporated crop specific models and linked to real-time data.
DR. CRANOS WILLIAMS
Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Analytics at NC State University
He serves as the Platform Director of the Data-Driven Plant Sciences research platform of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative and is the head of the EnBiSys Research Laboratory.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
