AI*AG REVOLUTION

Connect with industry thought leaders and learn about the transformational impact of AI in food systems.

When: Friday, December 6, 2024

Time: 12-1:30p

Doors Open: 11:40
Lunch: 12:00
Presentation Begins: 12:20 PM
Followed by Fireside Chat
Event Ends: 1:30 PM

Where: UC Merced Conference Center Ballroom

ELLIOTT GRANT works at the intersection of technology and agriculture, and has led the development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies in the global food system over the last 18 years. Elliott Grant is an inventor, CEO, professor. He Led AI development for ag, serving as CEO of Mineral.ai, a Google[x] Alphabet company focused on precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making. In the Last U.S. lecture before returning to Cambridge University, Grant shares why now is the time for UC Merced students to work on our greatest challenge: feeding 9 BILLION people, sustainably.

In 2017 Dr. Grant joined Google[X] to lead the development of foundational AI for agriculture, and in 2023 became CEO of Mineral – one of Alphabet’s “Other Bets”. He serves on the boards of SunWorld International (a crop genetics company based in Bakersfield, California) and the International Fresh Produce Association. Prior to joining Google, he was the CEO of ShopWell Labs, a pioneer of personalized nutrition; the founding CEO of HarvestMark, a world leader in food traceability; and the Vice Chair of the Produce Marketing Association.

He is named inventor on more than fifty US Patents and invented – then open-sourced – a traceability technology that is used on every case of fresh produce in N. America. Elliott earned an MEng and PhD in Engineering from Cambridge University, England. He lives in California with his wife, and his daughter is a Junior in college in California.

SEANA DAY is an investor, agtech strategist and CEO. Using a data-driven approach and investor’s eye, Day tracks 1500 agtech companies and develops landscapes on the outlook. Prior to her involvement in food and ag, Seana was a technology investment banker at AGC Partners in London, Ridgecrest Capital Partners in the Bay Area and Headwaters MB in Denver. Seana also serves as leader of Dave Wilson Nursery and is a Board member for the Stanislaus Community Foundation.

Contact: Dr. Leigh Bernacchi, F3 Executive Director – vista@ucmerced.edu

Cohosted by F3 Innovate at UC Merced, CITRIS, EECS Graduate Group.
Lunch provided by F3 Innovate at UC Merced.
Event coordination by VISTA.