UN urges AI adoption to feed 2.7 billion people facing food insecurity

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on global governments on Saturday, 17 October, to deploy artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics to combat a global food crisis that left 645 million people hungry last year. In a message marking World Food Day, Guterres noted that nearly 2.7 billion people—roughly one-third of the global population—currently cannot afford a healthy diet. The UN chief cited overlapping economic shocks, disrupted supply chains, and the rising cost of fertilizers as the primary drivers putting nutritious food out of reach for millions. Technology to bridge the supply gap The call to action, issued under the theme "Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow," urges a shift toward technology-driven agriculture. Guterres stated that the world possesses the technical capacity to feed its population but lacks the coordinated application of innovation to solve distribution and affordability issues. The UN is advocating for a collaborative model that brings together researchers, farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and youth to develop AI-based solutions for crop monitoring and logistics. The initiative specifically targets developing countries, where food insecurity is most acute due to fluctuating market prices and climate-related production losses. Call for increased climate finance Addressing the financial barriers to food security, Guterres emphasized the need to mobilize international finance to make nutritious food affordable. The statement…