The prominent role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming the agri-food sector towards a more sustainable and healthy future was highlighted at the Innovation Day of the Faculty of Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Porto, held on June 26. The event featured researchers and industry leaders, including members from PIPA, Super Bock Group, Cork Supply, and MC SONAE, who shared their experiences and visions on the transformative applications of AI.
The opening session featured a lecture by IIlias Tagkopoulos, a professor of Computer Science at the Genome Center of the University of California - Davis, titled "Deep AI - accelerating innovation for a healthier and more sustainable future". John Melo, CEO of PIPA, followed with a presentation on "AI at the Center of Innovation and Enterprise productivity". Pedro Miguel Rodrigues, a professor of Computer Science at the School of Biotechnology, addressed the theme "AI-Driven Empowerment Applications in Health & Food Systems". José Fernando Pinto dos Santos, from INSEAD and Visiting Professor at the Catholic University, presented on "AI, Science, and Society".
The roundtable discussion, moderated by Manuela Pintado, Director of the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Porto, highlighted innovative case studies. Tiago Monteiro Brandão, R&D and Innovation Director at Super Bock Group and Project Director at The Brewers Company, presented "AI in Beer: from trend to business!". António C. Silva Ferreira, Innovation Manager at Cork Supply, discussed "A real-time AI-driven inspection system to classify corks based on oxygen transfer rate". Marlos Silva, Area Coordinator, Digital & Innovation at MC SONAE, spoke about "AI@Retail".
'Innovation Day 2024 underscored the transformative applications of Artificial Intelligence in the agri-food sector, bringing together academic experts and industry leaders to explore and discuss innovative advancements and pressing agri-food challenges', said Paula Castro, Director of the Faculty of Biotechnology. Manuela Pintado added that 'the integration of AI in the agri-food sector can lead to more efficient, safe, and sustainable production, helping to identify problems in advance and promoting the health and well-being of consumers'.
The event facilitated knowledge transfer among all participants and highlighted the latest research across various fields. The valuable insights and reflections shared will enable the Portuguese agri-food ecosystem to recognize new opportunities within emerging challenges and drive impactful changes that can benefit individuals, organizations, and society.
The Innovation Day of the Faculty of Biotechnology once again demonstrated the commitment of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa to innovation and excellence, emphasizing the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence in building a more sustainable and healthy future.
