Riyadh: The UN’s Global Industry Summit highlighted the transformative potential of responsible AI use and strategic partnerships for companies in the Global South. The event demonstrated solutions to persistent challenges faced by business leaders in these regions.
According to United Nations, the summit emphasized how the Green Revolution saved millions of lives in India by introducing scientific techniques that boosted agricultural yields. However, the environmental and health costs of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides have led to a resurgence in organic farming, which combines modern science with traditional methods to produce nutritious food sustainably. Amit Singh, Head of Sustainability at Nature Bio Foods, described this approach as beneficial for both consumers and farmers, who receive fair compensation for their high-quality produce.
Nature Bio Foods, an Indian social enterprise, recently received the ONE World Innovation Award for its sustainable farm-to-table model. This approach ensures that all aspects of food production, from planting to distribution, are environmentally friendly. The company has significantly reduced its carbon emissions through innovations like solar energy and methane reduction in rice production. Nearly 100,000 smallholder farmers benefit from this model, with profits reinvested in community initiatives such as clean drinking water and education.
Singh attributed the company’s success to strategic partnerships with both the private and public sectors, including support from the Indian Government and technological assistance from the United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO). During the Global Industry Summit, held in Riyadh from November 23 to 27, Singh highlighted these collaborations as essential for expansion and innovation.
The summit’s Partnerships and Investment Day showcased initiatives and digital solutions poised to revolutionize industries in developing countries. AI emerged as a central theme, with discussions on its application in solving real-world problems. Jason Slater, head of AI and innovation at UNIDO, explained how AI technology can enhance efficiency in various sectors, such as a startup’s AI chip that detects food waste, enabling more efficient production processes.
Slater emphasized AI’s role in uniting development stakeholders, including the private sector, governments, and academia, to collaboratively address challenges. He underscored the UN’s commitment to ethical technology adoption, ensuring inclusivity and safeguarding against potential risks. The summit reinforced the message that technology, when responsibly harnessed, can drive sustainable development across the Global South.