NIFA-funded scientists spur research in artificial intelligence with release of massive dataset

A team of scientists funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture has launched Arboretum, a groundbreaking dataset featuring 134.6 million expert-verified images of nearly 327,000 plant and animal species. This resource aims to fuel the development of AI tools for pest control, crop monitoring, and environmental conservation. “This research can lead to AI tools that help address critical global challenges,” said Associate Professor Chinmay Hegde, part of the team that also includes researchers from Iowa State University and the University of Arizona, emphasizing its potential impact on food security and ecosystem preservation.