In a pioneering strategic move to address climate and food security challenges, Abu Dhabi has launched the “Global Agricultural Development AI System.” This ambitious platform aims to equip farmers in vulnerable regions with advanced technology tools, backed by Bill Gates and international research institutions.
Article contents:
- Global initiative launch
- Strategic partnership with Bill Gates
- The four pillars of the system
- CGIAR Innovation Hub
- Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI)
- Agricultural Open Large Language Model (AgriLLM)
- AIM for Scale initiative
- Field impact and results
- Frequently asked questions
Global initiative launch
The United Arab Emirates officially announced the launch of the “Abu Dhabi Global Agricultural Development AI System.” The initiative was announced in the presence of prominent figures, including Mariam Al Mheiri, head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, and Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation. This initiative marks the culmination of two years of continuous work and progress, affirming the UAE’s steadfast commitment to leveraging advanced technology to serve humanity and sustainable development causes.
Strategic partnership with Bill Gates
During the launch event, Mariam Al Mheiri said: “The UAE is harnessing artificial intelligence for the public good, helping to protect farmers and communities most vulnerable to climate fluctuations. By connecting our national research and AI capabilities with leading global partners, we are turning science into real tools that reach people on the ground.”
For his part, Bill Gates added: “Around the world, smallholder farmers face the harshest impacts of climate change with the fewest tools to adapt. The agriculture AI system helps change that by putting practical, data-driven solutions directly into farmers’ hands. I am grateful for the UAE’s leadership; this initiative helps enhance food security and support farmers in a warming world.”
The four pillars of the system
The system relies on a strong collaborative network comprising the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and three Abu Dhabi-based institutions: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), New York University Abu Dhabi, and ai71, alongside key international partners such as the Gates Foundation, CGIAR, and the World Bank. The capabilities of this partnership are embodied in four main initiatives collectively aimed at improving the lives of millions.
CGIAR Innovation Hub
This is a global collaborative workspace hosted by ai71 in Abu Dhabi as a core technical partner. The hub aims to revolutionize agriculture by driving digital transformation and innovation. It seeks to solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global center for AI in agriculture, leveraging more than 50 years of extensive agricultural data and accumulated expertise from CGIAR’s 13 research centers worldwide.
Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI)
Headquartered at MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi, the institute is a premier digital agricultural advisory center. It provides digital advisory tools, specialized training programs, and technical assistance teams for governments, NGOs, and partner organizations. The center is dedicated to enhancing global food security by improving the lives and livelihoods of over 43 million smallholder farmers.
Agricultural Open Large Language Model (AgriLLM)
This is an open-source large language model developed by ai71 in Abu Dhabi, specifically designed to enhance global agricultural intelligence. The model was trained on deep and comprehensive agricultural data, including 150,000 agricultural documents, 50,000 research papers, and 120,000 real-world agricultural Q&As. Four AI agents providing region-specific guidance on climate adaptation, resource management, and food production are currently being tested. The model will be fully released as a free public good for anyone to use and develop.
AIM for Scale initiative
A joint initiative co-funded by the UAE and the Gates Foundation, based at NYU Abu Dhabi. The initiative leads global efforts to deliver AI-powered weather forecasts and digital advisory services to smallholder farmers. At COP30, the initiative announced a shared ambition with its partners to reach 100 million farmers by 2030.
Field impact and results
The initiative has already achieved tangible progress; in 2025, the government of India delivered AI-powered monsoon forecasts via SMS to 38 million farmers, the largest deployment of its kind to date. Building on this momentum, MBZUAI and the University of Chicago launched an AI weather forecasting training program in Abu Dhabi to train officials from countries such as Bangladesh, Chile, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, with plans to expand to 25 other countries by 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Question: What is the main objective of the new agricultural system?
Answer: To provide practical, free artificial intelligence solutions to help smallholder farmers in developing countries adapt to climate change and improve their food security.
Question: Are the technologies of this initiative publicly available?
Answer: Yes, the “AgriLLM” language model will be open-source and completely free for use and development by researchers and institutions.
Question: Who are the most prominent partners in this project?
Answer: The UAE government, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MBZUAI, and CGIAR.
