These potentials became apparent at the conference ‘AI as a Catalyst for the Bioeconomy,’ which took place on 10 November at the Federal Ministry of Research, Education and Space (BMFTR) in Berlin. Experts from science, business and politics discussed how AI can accelerate biological processes, increase resource efficiency and drive innovation for a sustainable economy of the future.

The importance of these developments is also highlighted in the German government's High-Tech Agenda, which identifies AI and biotechnology as two of six key technologies that will secure Germany's innovation and competitiveness in the long term.

An example of the successful application of AI in sustainable agriculture was presented by the DAKIS (Digital Agricultural Knowledge and Information System) project, which is part of the BMFTR's «Agricultural Systems of the Future» funding line. DAKIS develops AI-supported decision-making and information systems that support farmers, promote biodiversity and make ecosystem services visible.

Prof. Dr. Sonoko Bellingrath-Kimura plays a central role in the project, contributing significantly to scientific development with her expertise in the field of agricultural ecosystems. Her presentation at the conference impressively demonstrated how digitalisation and sustainable agricultural research work together to make agriculture resilient and sustainable.