HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii at Manoa has received federal funding to develop new tools aimed at protecting food production systems.
UH Manoa received $2 million from the National Science Foundation to help create artificial intelligence-based technology that can detect environmental threats before they become larger problems.
The four-year project is being led by UH Manoa in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Researchers will combine AI with environmental sampling, genetic analysis and chemical testing to identify potential risks to aquaculture, livestock and agricultural systems.
“So we want to make sure that the foods they are producing are clean and safe to consume,” said project principal investigator Tao Yan. “So that’s good for the farmers and also good for the consumers.”
The project comes as public health officials continue investigating foodborne illnesses tied to Cyclospora.
“Right now we look at the Cyclospora problem, we know it after people have already consumed the food,” Yan said. “So the new technology, AI-based, the tools that we’re trying to develop, will aim to detect those problems before they manifest into bigger problems like we have today.”
Researchers will initially test the technology in aquaculture and beef cattle operations.
The project will also provide research opportunities for students and junior faculty while working with industry partners, regulators and communities.
The full NSF award totals $4 million, with UH receiving half of the funding.
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