Title: Early Detection of Crop Threats, Health Monitoring, and Pest Management through Cutting-Edge Imaging, IoT, and AI Technologies.
| Affiliation: | University of the west of Scotland | |
| Date and Time of Talk: | Date: 27th December 2024 | Time: 02:20 PM – 03:00 PM |
Abstract:
Emerging challenges in agriculture, such as disease outbreaks, pest infestations, and nutrient depletion, demand innovative solutions for sustainable farming. This talk explores an interdisciplinary approach integrating UAV-based hyperspectral imaging, thermal sensors, LiDAR, and AI with genomic analysis to develop an advanced system for early detection of crop threats, health monitoring, and pest identification. Highlighting practical applications in key UK crops, such as strawberries, potatoes and cereals, we demonstrate how this technology can provide actionable insights for mitigating crop losses and improving farming practices. The session also discusses contributions to the expanding database of plant disease genomes, paving the way for next-generation precision agriculture.
Biography:
Dr. Shahid is an accomplished AI researcher and industry expert with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. He specializes in interdisciplinary research spanning electric power systems, smart agriculture, sustainability, health and safety, and the circular economy. At University of the West of Scotland, my work focuses on advancing innovation at the intersection of AI and IoT, fostering industry collaborations, and mentoring future AI professionals. Throughout his career, he has delivered impactful solutions such as IoT and machine learning systems for agricultural pest prediction and projects on electrical power demand and generation forecasting and solar energy solutions. His work as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate included developing IoT and edge computing solutions, such as the RDS BlackBox and a circular economy platform that inspired the creation of a start-up addressing plastic waste. His efforts have earned recognition through awards like the Rector’s Award for Innovation and funding from Innovate UK and the British Council. His expertise spans machine learning, natural language processing, IoT, and sustainability. His commitment lies in driving research and innovation to solve global challenges, bridging academia and industry, and advancing practical, data-driven solutions.