Inspire - Digital Technologies in the Food System

Digital technologies, data science and artificial intelligence is an area of increasing interest. The unique selling point for the proposed INSPIRE programme relates to the position of the consortium on the UK, EU and global stage on research, knowledge and expertise in food security, food systems and digital technologies. In particular, the lead partner, QUB’s Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technologies has world leading expertise and reputation in secure connected intelligence, coupled with the internationally renowned expertise in food integrity through the Institute of Global Food Security. This is expected to be a key selling point of the programme, particularly as we aim to deliver a 3-day face-to-face make-a-thon event in QUB. The EIT Food label and partner contributions will strengthen the course offering even further. This will be complemented with expert speakers and rising food stars from within the EIT Food network.

This is not a niche market as digital technologies are now in the food chain and related value streams, but demand is expected to increase further as it is clear the current agri-food workforce presents a low skill level in comparison to the digital solutions available. The consortium also has state-of-the art facilities within their own organisations, coupled with complementary stakeholder networks who can provide value-added activities, industry speakers, facilities and access to our target cohort to ensure in-depth and professional content and delivery of the course.

The proposed Inspire course is also aligned with The Deep Tech Initiative, as part of the European’s Innovation Agenda and will help to support the ambition to train one million people in deep tech between 2023 and 2025.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the challenges in the food system
• Explore and critically assess the different digital technologies which can transform the food sector
• Translate innovations into feasible business solutions for the agri-food sector.
• Think beyond boundaries, and systematically explore and generate new ideas, responding to current and future challenges within the food system.

To:

• Farmers and practitioners aiming to understand what the transition to sustainable farming entails and connection to a pan-European network
• MSc, PhD, and early career researchers: The Inspire programme will provide the opportunity for the creation of a pan-European network of researchers, industry, and experts across the agri-food community. It will increase their skills in digital technologies and create the conditions for the creation of novel research methods or areas of research currently not fully explored.
• Young Professionals and industry participants: Will get a greater insight and understanding of how secure, connected intelligence and digital technologies can be incorporated into their business / agri-food chain; learning from industry experts and startups; and connections to pan-European network in agri-food
• Aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and spin-offs: Will get entrepreneurship skills training, business coaching from renowned experts in entrepreneurship, innovation and food systems and a greater insight into the food system and problem spaces
• Commercial organisations interested in professional development opportunities for their employees; and building links with a pool of talented agri-food and tech researchers, innovators and professionals and aiming to shape the new generation of talent in the food system.

The agri-food sector is facing increasing pressure as it tries to feed and nourish a growing population by 2050 in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. The sector faces challenges around achieving targets on net zero greenhouse gas emissions; improving environmental performance; tackling food loss and food waste; increasing resiliency; increasing transparency, trust and fairness from farm to fork; and achieving healthier lives through food. It is evident that we need to reconsider how we produce, distribute, value and consume food.

Innovations in technology and data science are forecasted to play an important role in transforming our food system and achieving global food security for future generations, based on the principles of integrity. In the agri-food industry, insight driven data will be crucial to address the major challenges facing the sector: connecting insights into the health of soil, the environment, livestock, humans, infectious and non-communicable diseases and populations. Digital technologies will allow the secure collection of data and tracking of food supply chains (transparency); monitoring and predicting changes to reduce and prevent risk (resiliency); precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices; and connecting all stakeholders, from sellers to buyers, driving more engaged and informed consumers and ensuring fairness across the supply chain.

The Inspire Digital Technologies course will showcase the challenges in the Food System course and the future landscapes of technology development in agriculture and the food industry. It will focus on digital technologies and provide training on applying cyber security, wireless connectivity, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to address local, national and global challenges within the agri-food industry.

Over the course of 3 weeks, the participants will navigate the complex landscape of data analytics and AI and unlock digital innovation. The participants will also receive entrepreneurship and innovation training to develop a solution to challenges faced by the industry.

The course will include three modules with the following learning objectives:

• Module 1 – The Food System: Outline the challenges in the food system: from feeding a growing population, the competition for resources, climate change and the complexity of the global food chain to the triple burden of malnutrition
• Module 2 – Digital technologies in the food system: Provide training on applying data science, artificial intelligence and digital technologies across the agri-food chain to address local, national and global challenges within the sector and current limitations.
• Module 3: Digital Technologies Make-a-thon: Increase entrepreneurial, innovation and deep tech skills

Assessment

The inspire participants will be assessed against the learning outcomes through:

• Formative Assessment:
  • Problem-Solution Fit: Live presentation and feedback
  • Solution- Market Fit: Live presentation and feedback
  • Food Systems & Aquaculture Sector: End of course quiz on Canvas
• Summative Assessment:
  • Final Pitch – Teams present their innovative idea at a final pitch event. The teams will be marked on both their pitch and the overall concept