Announcing AIFS x AI AgTech Challenge at UC Davis
UC Davis students are gearing up for an exciting hands-on challenge this spring: the AIFS x AI AgTech Challenge, taking place May 2–4, 2025, on the UC Davis campus. Organized by the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems (AIFS), this event brings graduate and undergraduate students together to develop real-world solutions for the future of agriculture and food systems using Sony’s powerful technology.
Participants will use the Raspberry Pi AI Camera with Sony's IMX500 integrated sensor and/or Sony Spresense microcontroller board to tackle critical issues in agriculture, from climate adaptation to supply chain resilience. Student teams will be formed around shared interests and diverse skill sets, with at least one team member bringing coding experience.
Throughout the weekend, students will receive mentorship and guidance as they prototype AI-powered solutions and present their work in a final pitch session on Sunday, May 4.
Technology in Focus
Raspberry Pi AI Camera: Featuring the Sony IMX500 Intelligent Vision Sensor, this camera allows AI models to run directly on the hardware. This enables:
- Real-time image classification
- Detection capabilities
- Operation with minimal load on the main processor
This powerful tech, working right at the edge, is your ideal partner for creating smart solutions that can shape the future of our food and farming.
Sony Spresense: A compact, low-power microcontroller board designed for edge computing applications. It includes:
- A 6-core processor
- GPS functionality
- High-resolution audio and camera input
- Onboard AI processing capabilities
We look forward to seeing students apply these tools to create meaningful and impactful solutions. If you’re a UC Davis student interested in AI, sustainability, or just love a good challenge, don’t miss this one!