p to 757 million people face chronic hunger daily. Without new technologies and AI, we risk leaving millions behind. As head of the World Food Programme (WFP)’s global innovation accelerator I’ve seen first–hand AI's potential, but only if we approach it responsibly to solve real problems.
Real solutions for real challenges
A lot of people only know hunger as an abstract issue, but it’s a real human crisis exacerbated by conflict, natural disasters or economic issues. To be effective, AI must address real, immediate challenges faced by people—not just for affluent people, but also considering remote areas with people who don’t have the same economic opportunities. For example, AI–powered precision agriculture can help smallholder farmers even in remote areas in the Global South optimize resources such as water, fertilizers and seeds, increasing productivity while minimizing waste. AI–driven supply chain systems can reduce transport costs or food waste and ensure food supply chains are more efficient and effective. These innovations succeed only when guided by local knowledge and on–the–ground realities.
AI for its own sake is not the answer. For humanitarian response, its value lies in addressing both the immediate and long–term needs of those most affected by hunger. Smallholder farmers, for example, often lack access to even basic technologies, let alone advanced AI tools.
Public–private partnerships are crucial to bridge this gap, combining cutting–edge AI with deep local understanding. This is the mission of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, which connects high–impact innovations with WFP’s global reach in over 120 countries.
Timely and accurate data for the Global South is essential
At the heart of AI lies data, and its quality determines the effectiveness of AI–driven solutions. But hunger hotspots are often data deserts. For AI to make a meaningful impact, the humanitarian sector, governments and private companies must prioritize building robust, accurate datasets that reflect the realities of users or regions that are often overlooked in global data models. What is sometimes considered an “edge case” can be the core reality of people living in remote areas in the Global South. Beyond offering insights, AI can play a crucial role in forecasting. By predicting food shortages, extreme weather–related risks or resource gaps, AI–powered early warning systems can enable proactive interventions before crises escalate. However, these systems are only as effective as the data driving them.
Scaling through proven impact
To scale AI solutions effectively, we need to focus on high–impact areas that will enable real breakthrough innovations. Instead of another chatbot, consider precision agriculture or personalized nutrition for everybody, or AI optimized, collaborative systems that ensure farm–to–fork digitization on blockchain to enable more food, higher nutrition and lower costs all at the same time. It’s a new opportunity for investment that will make a big impact a reality.. But scaling solutions isn’t just about funding; it’s about proving they work. Demonstrating the impact of AI through rigorous testing and real–world results is essential for humanitarian organizations to build trust and unlock further investment, laying the foundation for wider adoption.
Trust: The cornerstone of AI’s success
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is the need for actors to come together. Humanitarian organizations, private companies, startups and local stakeholders together can build public trust in AI. Public–private partnerships can democratize AI’s benefits, ensuring access and improving people’s lives also for vulnerable communities.
AI can transform the fight against hunger, but only if used responsibly. By combining innovation with partnership, investment and a commitment to expand AI to the Global South, we can work toward a future without hunger. The opportunity is immense, and the time to act is now.
a global affairs media network
Can AI solve hunger? The promise of technology in food security
Image by seungwoo yon from Pixabay.
March 19, 2025
AI can revolutionize food security by optimizing agriculture, improving supply chains, and forecasting crises. However, AI solutions must be built on quality data—guided by local expertise and scaled responsibly through partnerships and real–world impact, writes Bernhard Kowatsch.
U
p to 757 million people face chronic hunger daily. Without new technologies and AI, we risk leaving millions behind. As head of the World Food Programme (WFP)’s global innovation accelerator I’ve seen first–hand AI's potential, but only if we approach it responsibly to solve real problems.
Real solutions for real challenges
A lot of people only know hunger as an abstract issue, but it’s a real human crisis exacerbated by conflict, natural disasters or economic issues. To be effective, AI must address real, immediate challenges faced by people—not just for affluent people, but also considering remote areas with people who don’t have the same economic opportunities. For example, AI–powered precision agriculture can help smallholder farmers even in remote areas in the Global South optimize resources such as water, fertilizers and seeds, increasing productivity while minimizing waste. AI–driven supply chain systems can reduce transport costs or food waste and ensure food supply chains are more efficient and effective. These innovations succeed only when guided by local knowledge and on–the–ground realities.
AI for its own sake is not the answer. For humanitarian response, its value lies in addressing both the immediate and long–term needs of those most affected by hunger. Smallholder farmers, for example, often lack access to even basic technologies, let alone advanced AI tools.
Public–private partnerships are crucial to bridge this gap, combining cutting–edge AI with deep local understanding. This is the mission of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, which connects high–impact innovations with WFP’s global reach in over 120 countries.
Timely and accurate data for the Global South is essential
At the heart of AI lies data, and its quality determines the effectiveness of AI–driven solutions. But hunger hotspots are often data deserts. For AI to make a meaningful impact, the humanitarian sector, governments and private companies must prioritize building robust, accurate datasets that reflect the realities of users or regions that are often overlooked in global data models. What is sometimes considered an “edge case” can be the core reality of people living in remote areas in the Global South. Beyond offering insights, AI can play a crucial role in forecasting. By predicting food shortages, extreme weather–related risks or resource gaps, AI–powered early warning systems can enable proactive interventions before crises escalate. However, these systems are only as effective as the data driving them.
Scaling through proven impact
To scale AI solutions effectively, we need to focus on high–impact areas that will enable real breakthrough innovations. Instead of another chatbot, consider precision agriculture or personalized nutrition for everybody, or AI optimized, collaborative systems that ensure farm–to–fork digitization on blockchain to enable more food, higher nutrition and lower costs all at the same time. It’s a new opportunity for investment that will make a big impact a reality.. But scaling solutions isn’t just about funding; it’s about proving they work. Demonstrating the impact of AI through rigorous testing and real–world results is essential for humanitarian organizations to build trust and unlock further investment, laying the foundation for wider adoption.
Trust: The cornerstone of AI’s success
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is the need for actors to come together. Humanitarian organizations, private companies, startups and local stakeholders together can build public trust in AI. Public–private partnerships can democratize AI’s benefits, ensuring access and improving people’s lives also for vulnerable communities.
AI can transform the fight against hunger, but only if used responsibly. By combining innovation with partnership, investment and a commitment to expand AI to the Global South, we can work toward a future without hunger. The opportunity is immense, and the time to act is now.
