Abu Dhabi: Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office in the UAE Presidential Court, has announced that the UAE is developing the world’s first ChatGPT tool for the agricultural community. The announcement was made at the UAE Pavilion during COP29, which featured various events highlighting the role of technology, collaboration, and data in accelerating decarbonisation and promoting energy transition globally, especially through agricultural innovation and hydrogen development.
According to Emirates News Agency, the session titled ‘In Partnering to Create AI-based Public Goods for One Billion+ Smallholders’ saw Almheiri reveal the development of this innovative tool, referred to as ‘CHAG’ (Chat + Ag), which is already being applauded for its potential impact. Drawing on over 50 years of research data and leveraging the UAE’s advancements in AI, CHAG aims to transform the lives of farmers worldwide, particularly those facing challenging climatic conditions.
During the
session with AIM for Scale, part of the UAE-Gates Foundation partnership, Almheiri, also a Member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, joined a panel including the Gates Foundation to discuss equipping farmers with tools to make informed decisions on harvesting and planting, and adapting to volatile weather patterns. Celeste Saulo, Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation, highlighted how AI is translating forecasts into actionable insights for farmers.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), initiated the day with a session on scaling carbon footprint reduction in the UAE. Discussions on green economic growth included insights from Fanny Modin, Head of Business Development at Seagrass-E.ON, who praised the UAE’s leadership in carbon markets and sustainable finance.
In another session, Zayed Sustainability Prize winners showcased how start-up innovations can contribute to global clim
ate and development goals through technology. Sebastian Groh, CEO of SOLShare, emphasized the integration of decentralised and centralised solutions, while Prize Judge Bertrand Piccard discussed his hydrogen-powered aviation mission.
Nadia Rouchdy, Head of Climate at Emirates Nature-WWF, stressed the importance of data in decarbonisation efforts, noting the contributions of UAE-based companies in addressing emissions and engaging with suppliers on climate issues. The legacy of COP28 was also highlighted as a convergence of health, nature, and climate.
The event also included sessions on AI’s role in food systems innovation, advancements in power grids for Net Zero by 2050, and the UAE National MRV-Transparency System for monitoring GHG emissions and air quality. The Changemaker Majlis hosted by Masdar and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI emphasized AI’s revolutionary role in the energy transition.
