AI & Data: Our selection of original articlesOur selection

Mekki Maalej, founder of Agri Safe: "AI does not replace farmers, it transforms data into water savings"

In this new segment of our special report on water, we hear from Mekki Maalej, founder of Agri Safe. Coming from a family of farmers in Tunisia and now based in Toulouse, the entrepreneur explains how artificial intelligence can help farmers irrigate more precisely and save up to 35% of water.

Ecorobotix and Maya Join Forces to Combine Ultra-High Precision with AI-Driven Data Intelligence

Leveraging ultra-precise data collected in the field by integrating it into a specialized AI assistant is the ambition of Ecorobotix and Maya. In a joint interview, their leaders detail their collaborative project and share their vision for the future of technology in agriculture and green space management.

Measuring Plant Stress: Flex, the Satellite Monitoring Vegetation Health

Detecting vegetation stress from space: this is the promise of Flex, a European satellite set to launch in September 2026. By observing an invisible light signal emitted by plants during photosynthesis from space, scientists hope to better understand how vegetation reacts to environmental stress and its effects on the carbon cycle and climate.

Philippe Choquet: "Less Inputs, More Intelligence: Agriculture Becomes a Data-Driven Profession"

For Philippe Choquet, director of UniLaSalle, an engineering school specializing in life sciences, the ongoing agricultural transformation – reducing inputs, increasing data usage, and hybridizing disciplines – necessitates a redefinition of professions and the way engineers are trained.

Agricultural Robotics Becomes More Attractive to Investors

Advancements in robotics and AI are transforming the agricultural landscape, making machines more flexible and reliable. Reservoir VC has announced a $50 million fund to support startups in the sector, emphasizing the importance of systemic support to overcome harvesting challenges. Machines are now assembled and tested in less than six months, paving the way for rapid and efficient industrialization.

Agtrinsic Unveils AI Engine for Crop Disease Management

Agtrinsic, an American company specializing in AI for agronomic management and disease risk, has launched an artificial intelligence engine designed to continuously predict the risk of crop diseases. The tool aims to detect emerging threats earlier, helping farmers and agronomists adjust their protection decisions. Designed to adapt to various crops and diseases, it is still undergoing field trials before a wider deployment.

TerraBlaster Raises $12.5 Million for Real-Time Soil Mapping Technology

TerraBlaster, a California-based precision agriculture startup, has raised $12.5 million to accelerate the development of its real-time soil nutrient mapping technology. The system, based on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), measures nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH directly in the field at tractor speed, allowing for more precise fertilizer application. Initial commercial deliveries are expected in 2027.

CropX Strengthens Its Platform with Acquisition of NIR Specialist SCIO

CropX, an Israeli leader in digital agronomy and precision agriculture, has made its largest acquisition to date by purchasing SCIO, a U.S. company specializing in portable near-infrared spectroscopy. This move allows the digital agronomy platform to expand its measurements to include crop quality assessments before and after harvest. This marks CropX's eighth acquisition since 2020, occurring as the company approaches $20 million in annual recurring revenue and aims for profitability by 2027.

Launch of Africa's First National Satellite Data Program by Planet Labs and Rwanda

On August 10, 2026, Planet Labs and the Rwandan government inaugurated a national satellite data program, marking a significant advancement for Africa. Managed by the Rwandan Space Agency, this program will provide near-daily Earth imagery, enabling better agricultural resource management, forest health monitoring, and effective urban planning. The data will be accessible to various stakeholders, including universities and start-ups, thus fostering innovation and sustainable development in the country.

Mitti Labs Raises $9.5 Million for Sustainable Rice Farming in Asia

Singapore-based deeptech startup Mitti Labs has secured $9.5 million from a consortium led by Saudi fund Aramco Ventures to accelerate the deployment of its GeoAI platform dedicated to Asian rice paddies. By combining artificial intelligence, satellite data, and remote sensing, the company aims to simultaneously reduce water consumption and methane emissions through more sustainable irrigation practices.

Proxy Foods AI raises six million dollars for its food R&D platform

In Brazil, Agsafe Leverages AI to Reduce Spray Drift

Chloros Explores the Potential of Quantum AI to Assess Tomato Ripeness

Nanopore Sensor Developed to Detect Cyanobacterial Toxins in Water

Researchers at EPFL have developed a nanopore sensor capable of detecting and distinguishing multiple toxins produced by cyanobacteria, with potential implications for water quality monitoring. This innovative device could revolutionize the detection of microcystins in lakes, providing a rapid and precise method well below the safety thresholds established by the WHO.