How Can AI Contribute to Creating a More Equitable and Sustainable Food Future?

The urgency to change our food system has never been greater. With the escalating climate crisis and increasing consumer demand for sustainability, the call for a just transition is strengthening.

However, achieving a fairer, greener food system requires citizens—our workforce—to be equipped with the skills to influence it. Across the agrifood sector, a widening skills gap is exacerbating inequalities, jeopardizing the involvement of the very people essential for a sustainable future. The European agrifood sector supports 30 million jobs and contributes €900 billion (US$654 billion) in value. Yet, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that this sector experiences the highest rates of skills misalignment among all economic sectors. It is also predicted that we could lose 13 percent of skilled workers over the next decade, indicating these challenges are likely to worsen.

The challenge goes beyond merely having a sufficient workforce; it involves ensuring everyone acquires the right skills to make meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing food system. AI-driven tools can play a transformative role in bridging access gaps, empowering overlooked communities, and fostering resilience and dignity throughout the labor market.

Many communities, from rural areas to underrepresented youth, encounter significant barriers to accessing reskilling and upskilling opportunities. Rural regions, comprising 80 percent of the EU’s territory, are hindered by inadequate digital infrastructure, limited education access, and underinvestment in innovation—complicating the upskilling process. Meanwhile, young people, migrant workers, and other marginalized groups continue to face obstacles entering or progressing within the sector. Despite their potential to drive innovation and sustainability, these communities are often excluded from the very training and opportunities that would empower them.

As the food system experiences rapid technological and environmental changes, failing to address this skills gap risks solidifying inequality. For the food system to become truly sustainable, inclusive, and resilient, these access gaps must be closed—and quickly.

AI-driven learning tools provide a unique opportunity to democratize access to skills. By personalizing, adapting, and making education data-driven, they can connect individuals to real job opportunities, regardless of their background or location. EIT Food’s Geek4Food Skills Platform, co-developed with SkyHive by Cornerstone and part of a large consortium under the Global Ecosystems and Expanded Knowledge project for skills development in the food sector, supported by the Erasmus+ program, is one such tool. Utilizing AI to continuously map labor market demand, the platform identifies future roles and the skills required to fill them—offering learners tailored, accessible paths to reskill.

By evaluating a person’s existing experience, transferable skills, and learning preferences, Geek4Food makes upskilling not only more effective but also more inclusive—allowing the next generation to step into meaningful roles within the evolving food system.

We’re already witnessing the impact of AI and innovative technology throughout the agrifood sector. Elanti, an AgriTech startup supported by EIT Food, in partnership with Bayer, is utilizing machine learning to optimize crop yields and promote regenerative agricultural practices by analyzing the soil microbiome. This research could greatly reduce the risks of early crop failure and enhance plant resilience—showing how digital tools can foster both sustainability and innovation. Concurrently, Geek4Food is beginning to illustrate how AI can act as an intelligent link—aligning real-world industry needs with individual capabilities. By connecting employers, educators, learners, and soon, policymakers, the platform could become a model for inclusive, AI-powered workforce transformation in agriculture and beyond.

Technology is only one element of the solution. To establish an equitable skills ecosystem, we must invest in the social and institutional infrastructure that enables everyone to benefit from innovation.

Policymakers need to create environments that facilitate lifelong learning, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This includes funding for digital infrastructure, flexible training pathways, and support for inclusive education initiatives. Employers must also be clearer about the skills they are seeking—providing opportunities for workers to understand, develop, and showcase their capabilities. Finally, educators and training providers must adopt new learning models that reflect the current realities of the labor market—developing these in collaboration with industry and communities to ensure relevance, accessibility, and impact.

Encouraging collaboration across the food system will empower the next generation to shape the future of food, creating a resilient workforce.

AI is not a miraculous solution, but it serves as a powerful tool to unlock a fairer food future. When used effectively, it can eliminate barriers, enhance human potential, and connect individuals to the tools and opportunities necessary for success.

We have the opportunity to transition the dialogue from scarcity to opportunity—from skills gaps to skills ecosystems. By investing in inclusive, tech-enabled education and placing equity at the core of our transition, we can construct a food system that is not only greener and smarter but also fairer.

Articles like the one you just read are made possible through the generosity of Food Tank members. Can we rely on you to join our growing movement? Become a member today by clicking here.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Hedreyd, Wikimedia Commons