The UAE unveiled that it is developing "CHAG," an AI-powered tool, to support farmers globally against severe climate conditions.
The announcement was unveiled during COP29 in Baku, by Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office in the UAE Presidential Court and Member of the International Humanitarian Affairs Council. She explained that the UAE is working on developing the world's first ChatGPT tool specifically designed for the agricultural community.
The "CHAG" (Chat +Ag from Agriculture) is fully available to users and is based on over 50 years of research data. It represents the UAE's accelerated efforts in the AI sector, showcasing the country’s expertise in developing advanced language models.
The tool is expected to bring a transformative shift to farmers' lives worldwide, particularly those facing harsh climatic conditions.
Meanwhile, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), opened the UAE Pavilion at COP29 today. The event began with a session focused on "Expanding Carbon Footprint Reduction in the UAE," as part of a broader effort to activate carbon markets aligned with sustainable financing on an international scale.
The event featured a wide range of discussions on the role of technology, collaboration, and data in accelerating decarbonization and driving energy transformation globally, particularly through agricultural innovation and the development of hydrogen use.
For her part, Nadia Roushi, Head of the Climate Department at Emirates Nature-WWF, stated that carbon reduction takes time and accurate data is essential for achieving it. She pointed out that many outstanding local companies in the UAE are using AI to address emissions, build capacity, and improve collaboration with suppliers on climate issues.
Roushi also explained that the legacy of COP28 marked a convergence of health, nature, and climate, noting that this was the first time these interconnected themes were presented in such a way at a climate conference.
On another hand, Fanny Modin, Head of Business Development at Seagrass-E.ON, highlighted that the UAE is taking a leading role in carbon markets and recognizes their importance as a key financing tool. She described the "Altera" fund as a groundbreaking development in climate finance. Her statements came in a comprehensive discussion on green economic growth.
During the Agricultural Innovation for Climate session, part of the UAE-Gates Foundation partnership, Minister Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mehairi participated in a panel with representatives from the Gates Foundation. They discussed how to provide farmers with essential tools for making decisions about harvest timing, seed planting, and adapting to fluctuating weather conditions.
For his part, Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasized that instead of offering general forecasts, the goal is to translate all this data into practical steps that farmers can implement, thanks to the power of AI.
Furthermore, a session was held on the power of artificial intelligence in food system innovation and addressed how AI and other innovative technologies can enhance agricultural production and increase the resilience of food systems.
