David J. Spielman is the director of IFPRI’s Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit and has been with the institute since 2004. His research agenda covers a range of topics including agriculture and rural development policy; agricultural science, technology, and innovation; plant genetic resources and seed systems; agricultural extension and advisory services; and community-driven rural development. David was most recently based in Kigali, Rwanda, where he led the Rwanda Strategy Support Program. From 2016 to 2020, David managed IFPRI’s research theme on science, technology, and innovation policy from its headquarters in Washington, DC, and contributed to research projects in Asia and Africa. From 2004 to 2010, he was based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was part of IFPRI’s work on strengthening agricultural innovation systems. Earlier in his career, David worked on agriculture and rural development issues for the World Bank (Washington, DC), the Aga Khan Development Network (Pakistan), and several other organizations. David received a PhD in Economics from American University in 2003, an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics in 1993, and a BA in International Relations from Tufts University in 1992.
Join us for the ICTforAg 2023 Virtual Event, scheduled for November 7–9, 2023.
To get a sneak peek into what the November event will bring, check out the ICTforAg Launch Event that was hosted on June 15, 2023.
Hear from one of our November keynote speakers, Kentaro Toyama, learn about the Inspire Challenge, and much more.
Speaker: Rajesh Veeraraghavan (Georgetown University)
Responsible AI is a widely discussed topic these days, but what does it really entail? In this session, Rajesh Veeraraghavan, a recently tenured Associate Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and an affiliate of the Massive Data Institute, will explore this question. He will offer a comprehensive overview of responsible AI, focusing on the ethical challenges and design complexities of AI systems. Rajesh’s ICT4D research focuses on creating technology solutions that are not only advanced but also ethically responsive to the needs of global, often marginalized, populations.
Moderator: Jawoo Koo (IFPRI)
Panelists: David Spielman (IFPRI), Jona Repishti (Digital Green), Patricia Zambrano (IFPRI), Caitlin Corner-Dolloff (USAID)
AI holds exciting potential for addressing challenges faced by agriculture. However, regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure that AI does not inadvertently harm farmers and other agricultural stakeholders. While the concept of responsible AI is frequently emphasized, there is no universally accepted definition or clear implementation guidelines. Panelists in this session will explore what it means to develop and use AI solutions responsibly in agriculture, particularly for small-scale producers in the global South. They will also discuss how to balance fostering innovation with safeguarding stakeholders from potential risks.
Moderator: Charlotte Hebebrand (IFPRI) Panelists: Andres Ferreyra (Syngenta), Rui Benfica (IFPRI), Jeehye Kim (World Bank)
The potential of AI in agriculture is very promising, but will AI actually help farmers increase their income, and if so, how? This session will address unanswered questions about AI’s prospects for enhancing farm income, particularly in light of the declining profitability of agriculture globally in recent years. Can advanced technologies, especially AI-powered ones, reverse this trend? Panelists will share their experiences working with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, highlighting the areas of farming where AI can potentially reduce costs and improve profitability over the next 5 to 10 years. Additionally, they will discuss the risks associated with technology failures, including the implications of AI liability and the necessary safeguards.
This session was organized as CGIAR’s response to the recommendations outlined in the Breakthrough Agenda. The Breakthrough Agenda, spearheaded by the U.K. Government, is an international clean technology initiative launched at COP26 (2021) to help maintain the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. In 2023, the Breakthrough Agenda published a set of agriculture-focused recommendations titled International Priority Actions, developed collaboratively by the countries participating in the Agriculture Breakthrough. Among these recommendations, the CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation was specifically highlighted to lead dialogues on the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for agri-food systems.
New Delhi, India
Texcoco, Mexico
Washington, D.C., United States
