Cornell University is one of six universities to receive a total of $20 million over five years from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture emissions while boosting the economy of agriculture and forestry.
AI Institute for Climate-Land Interactions, Mitigation, Adaptation, Tradeoffs and Economy (AI-CLIMATE) – Led by the University of Minnesota with Computer Science and Engineering Professor Shashi Shekhar as Principal Investigator (PI) – New 7 is one of AI lab funded by NSF and USDA-NIFA The lab is part of a larger federal initiative totaling about $500 million to boost collaborative AI research across the country.
Cornell University will receive $6 million out of a $20 million five-year grant. $3.5 million of that goes to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and $2.5 million goes to the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Sciences (Cornell Bowers CIS).
In addition to Cornell University and the University of Minnesota, AI-CLIMATE institutions include Colorado State University, Delaware State University, North Carolina State University, and Purdue University.
Co-PI of AI-CLIMATE at Cornell University Johannes Lehmann, Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor at the School of Integrative Plant Sciences (CALS) and co-director of the Institute (along with Shekhar and Colorado forestry expert Keith Pastian).and Carla P. GomezRonald and Antonia Nielsen Professor of Computing and Information Science (Cornell Bowers CIS).
A total of 15 Cornell University researchers are the founding members of AI-CLIMATE. Cornell University researchers are expected to participate in planned efforts, initiate new ones and expand the Institute.
A public introduction and invitation to the Institute is scheduled for May 8 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the G01 Biotechnology Building. Lehmann, Gomes and Shekhar will invite the Cornell community to help shape the Institute and plan for the next five years and beyond. The seminar is also available on Zoom. registration required.
Dr. Lehman focuses on that research. soil biogeochemistry and Soil Fertility Management, said the institute should act as a hub for discovery by a wide range of researchers.
“Computer scientists and engineers need to talk to soil scientists, geoscientists and plant scientists,” he said. “And we should talk to farmers and industries and policy makers. We all speak different languages, so that is a tall order. I think it’s about developing goals and adjusting how we work.”
Recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences, Lehmann hopes the institute will generate new ways of thinking and researching climate issues. Institute. “
Gomez, A pioneer in the field of computational sustainability co-directing the Cornell AI for Science Institutesays AI could be an integral part of solving the climate crisis.
“AI can help scale up solutions to tackle the enormous challenges associated with climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices,” she said. “For example, AI can help by optimizing carbon sequestration, assisting adaptation measures, and identifying effective mitigation strategies.”
She said AI could help develop a multi-objective decision-making approach that considers viable trade-offs. Her work in the Amazon basin with a biologist Alex Flecker is an example of this approach, a strategy that can maximize economic value while minimizing adverse environmental impacts.
The lab will be integrated into a wide range of cutting-edge climate research being conducted across Cornell.
“AI-CLIMATE is a powerful example of Cornell University’s campus-wide mobilization to support climate solutions. 2030 Project: Cornell Climate Initiativehoused in Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability“These new resources and partnerships will help develop the farms and food systems of the future in this crucial decade for climate action.”
Also playing a pivotal role in the lab is the Cornell University Digital Agriculture Institute (Fern).directed by Diane BaileyGeri Gay Professor of Communication (CALS) said CIDA’s mission is to advance equitable, sustainable and efficient agriculture and food systems through interdisciplinary research.
“Everything about this new lab resonates with the interests of researchers at CIDA in its agricultural side,” Bailey said.
Bailey said one of CIDA’s goals related to AI-CLIMATE is to encourage communities of researchers such as Cornell University, where their shared interest in sustainable agriculture and forestry can lead to new projects and research avenues. said to cultivate
“We want to open a really wide umbrella,” she said. I would like to invite others to come and discuss related ideas.”
Use new AI techniques such as Deep Inference Network (DRNet) Researchers at the AI-CLIMATE Institute use knowledge-based machine learning to improve accuracy, reduce the cost of calculating carbon and greenhouse gases in farms and forests, and ultimately reach more people. is giving access to this process.
“Fundamental research in AI and machine learning is more important than ever to the design, development and deployment of AI-powered systems that deliver innovative solutions across our society.” The award represents the AI Institute’s entire ecosystem, as well as our proactive efforts to address national AI priorities that will accelerate our country’s AI capabilities, decision-making, and leadership.”
