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Artificial Intelligence Is Key To The Future Of Agtech In Missouri

  • June 30, 2017

Technology has always changed the way we farm. From the invention of the plow, to the tractor, to drones that can take precise measurements of soil and water quality. Now agtech is taking another leap forward with the collaboration of agriculture and artificial intelligence.

Missouri-based Monsanto Co. and Silicon Valley startup Atomwise officially began their collaboration into artificial intelligence more than a year ago. Their goal was to predict the strength of the binding interactions of molecules more accurately and efficiently than had ever been done before.

“It will completely change agriculture, not just from a production standpoint, but from a (research and development) standpoint,” said Jeremy Williams, Monsanto’s agricultural productivity innovations lead. “It’s going to revolutionize agriculture.”

The AI collaboration is part of Monsanto’s effort to find new ways to make its discovery pipeline more efficient, as the world faces a looming problem of feeding a swelling global population that is expected to grow to nearly 10 billion people by 2050.

In the past, scientists would have to screen hundreds of thousands of compounds to find new products to protect crops from pests and diseases before it can be commercialized as a product, something the company says takes roughly 11 years to do currently. It is believed that with the help of AI this process can be greatly sped up.

Missouri is the global leader in agtech and gateway to the future of advanced farming. The state’s crop and livestock diversity, abundant water supply and rich soil provide a solid, statewide, foundation for agtech companies to grow and succeed.

Big data, smart farming, input optimization, precision ag, prescription ag, biologicals, breeding, green chemistry, green pharmaceuticals – it’s all growing right here, and along with the use of drones, satellites and data are transforming farming as we know it.

For more information on why Missouri could be a prime location to launch or grow your business, contact Steve Johnson, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.725.2688 or via our contact form, with any questions you might have, and learn how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion needs.

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