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What will agriculture of the future look like? How can we “feed” large cities in the coming decades, as an increasing share of the world’s population concentrates in urban areas? It’s time to rethink agriculture and embrace new approaches. The large, four-year European project Hungry EcoCities , coordinated by the Faculty of Information Technology at Brno University of Technology, seeks innovative answers to these questions. The goal of this international consortium, composed of eight research institutions including FIT BUT and the Faculty of AgriSciences at Mendel University in Brno, is to develop more sustainable food systems through data, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Within the research framework, growers and agricultural experts work closely with artists, designers, and scientists in IT, food science, and biotechnology. Together, they are generating new ideas for the future shape of the food system. One of the current outputs of the European initiative is the project Acoustic Agriculture, resulting from a collaboration between new media artist Helena Nikonole and experts from Mendel University. Nikonole explores a fascinating question – how do sounds influence plants, their growth, and productivity, and how might urban noise pollution impact agricultural production? The aim is to understand the relationship between sound and plant growth, and use artificial intelligence to generate optimal sound sequences that could enhance production and assist small-scale farmers. The Faculty of Information Technology at BUT, represented by Pavel Smrž, is responsible for the project’s technological coordination. “Collaboration between art and science is not new, but today, these interactions are being shaped by a powerful new element – artificial intelligence. AI is becoming a tool that creative individuals can use to achieve results that were previously out of reach,” said Smrž. In the project abstract, he also stated that digital technologies and applications can reduce food waste and lead to more sustainable values, eco-friendly approaches, and more ethical food consumption. “Besides universities, the project also involves several leading European agricultural companies, aiming to develop a healthier, more sustainable, and affordable agricultural and food system for all,” added Smrž. For more information about the Hungry EcoCities project, see the original article in the magazine Horizon. Source: Faculty of Information Technology