AI for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture: Responsive, Explainable, and Deployable

Computer Science technology

Event details

The Diamond, Lecture Theatre 05, The University of Sheffield, 32 Leavygreave Road, Sheffield, S3 7RD

Description

Inaugural Lecture - Professor Po Yang from the School of Computer Science

Wednesday 7 October 2026, 5pm to 7pm

5.00-5.15: arrival
5.15-6.00: talk
6.00-7.00: Networking and refreshments in the foyer

Where: The Diamond, 32 Leavygreave Road, Broomhall, Sheffield S3 7RD (see here for map)
Lecture Theatre 05, followed by a drinks reception in the Diamond foyer

Title: AI for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture: Responsive, Explainable, and Deployable

Abstract: Agriculture is facing increasing pressures from climate change, resource constraints, environmental challenges, and the need to maintain productivity and profitability. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities to support more efficient and sustainable agricultural systems but translating AI from laboratory models into real-world farming practice remains a major challenge. Agricultural environments are highly dynamic, heterogeneous, and uncertain, therefore AI systems have to be respond to changing conditions, provide understandable recommendations, and operate reliably in practical settings. In this talk, Prof. Po Yang will present a vision for responsive, explainable, and deployable AI for sustainable and resilient agriculture, drawing on a range of UKRI-funded research projects led by his team at the University of Sheffield. The talk will explore how multimodal data, machine learning, computer vision, IoT, and emerging foundation models can be integrated with agronomic knowledge to support data-driven agricultural decision-making. Examples will include AI-driven climate-smart fertiliser management, precision agriculture, pest and disease detection, and plant-parasitic nematode diagnostics.

Bio: Professor Po Yang is Professor of Pervasive Intelligence in the School of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield, where he leads the Pervasive Computing Group. He is an Independent Scientific Advisor to the Alan Turing Institute, a member of BridgeAI’s Agrifood Expert Group. His research focuses on pervasive computing, mobile sensing, and data intelligence, with applications in proactive health and smart agriculture. Over the past 5 years, he has led more than 20 research projects funded by EPSRC, Innovate UK, and BBSRC, with a combined value exceeding £5.2 million, and has co-managed six EU FP7 projects with funding exceeding €5.6 million. Professor Yang has published more than 200 papers as first or corresponding author in leading AI conferences and IEEE journals, including ESI Highly Cited Papers. His publications have received more than 9,800 citations, with an h-index of 47. He has received five Best Paper Awards, including awards at IEEE INDIN-2019 and the IEEE Industrial Informatics Technical Committee–TII in 2022, and has been recognised among Stanford’s top 2% of scientists globally for three consecutive years since 2022. He serves on the editorial boards of leading journals, including Editor-in-Chief of Array, the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine and the Journal of Biomedical Informatics.
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