With the AgrarIA project, GMV is using AI and green algorithms to fight climate change

As part of an event organized by NatWest, focused on exploring the relationship between artificial intelligence and sustainability, GMV explained how innovative technologies can be used to combat climate change. Ángel C. Lázaro, GMV’s Head of Robotics and Automation for Industry, gave a presentation on the AgrarIA project. This is an initiative focused on transforming Spain’s agrifood industry, towards a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced model.

The AgrarIA project is being funded by Spain’s Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Functions, and its purpose is to bring together technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and bioengineering to take on the major challenges now facing the agricultural industry. The project revolves around an interoperable data space that connects the entire agriculture and food value chain, from production through to distribution. This is being done by using a single platform that is able to achieve process optimization and promote medium-term and long-term sustainability. During his presentation, Mr. Lázaro explained how those working on the AgrarIA project are developing innovative solutions to improve resource efficiency, while also helping to achieve compliance with global climate goals.

He discussed a variety of use cases, with highlights including the creation of digital twins that can optimize energy consumption at refrigeration facilities, and the development of models that can be used to predict the amount of water available to crop plants in the soil, by using key variables such as precipitation, evapotranspiration, water content, and in the case he discussed, the specific crop coefficient for almond trees.  The project is also developing systems based on artificial intelligence and satellite data, which are being used to guide autonomous vehicles that perform agricultural tasks, as a way of improving operational efficiency while also reducing environmental impacts. Work is also now in progress on applying quantum computing to achieve precise estimation of crop yields, which can facilitate planning and sustainable management of resources.

One of the most significant aspects of the AgrarIA project is its commitment to technological sustainability. Mr. Lázaro stressed that the use of advanced technologies should not have to mean creation of larger carbon footprints, which could potentially occur because of the high energy consumption levels required by artificial intelligence models. This is why the development of green algorithms, specifically designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, has been part of this project from its conception. This approach is aligned with the National Green Algorithm Program that has now been launched in Spain, with the aim of ensuring that when technologies based on artificial intelligence are being developed, sustainability variables are integrated from the earliest phases.