AI-Powered Phenomics: Transforming Crop Science for a Climate-Resilient Future
Dr. Michael Gomez Selvaraj (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT)
This PhenomicsWebinar took place 28 November 2025, 15:00CET.
Feel free to also have a look onto our IPPN Youtube channel for more PhenomicsWebinars
Abstract
In the face of intensifying climate change and growing food security challenges, artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining what is possible in plant phenomics. This keynote highlights the pioneering work of the Phenomics Platform at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, showcasing how AI-driven crop breeding, advanced imaging, and remote sensing technologies are unlocking new frontiers in crop improvement and climate adaptation.
By integrating high-throughput phenotyping tools, we capture vast, multidimensional datasets across growth stages, environments, and stress scenarios. AI-powered analytics then uncover predictive traits, genotype–environment interactions, and resilience mechanisms, accelerating data-driven breeding strategies for climate-smart agriculture. These cutting-edge advancements enable scalable phenotyping systems that bridge the gap between genomics and field performance, supporting the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutrient-dense crop varieties.
The webinar will also showcase real-world field-testing methodologies and case studies designed to simulate diverse environmental conditions, ensuring relevance and scalability for breeding programs. Our research equips breeders with precise insights into drought tolerance, stress responses, and overall crop adaptation, empowering them to make informed, impact-driven decisions.
Collaboration is at the heart of our vision. Through open-data initiatives, interdisciplinary partnerships, and technology transfer, we strive to democratize AI-driven phenomics and make cutting-edge tools accessible to researchers, breeders, and farmers worldwide. This session will illustrate how AI-enhanced phenomics is reshaping the future of crop science, complementing genomics and accelerating sustainable agricultural innovation.
Speaker Information
Dr. Michael Gomez Selvaraj (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT)
Michael Gomez Selvaraj is a visionary leader in agricultural research with more than 14 years of experience within the CGIAR system, specializing in the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), remote sensing, and advanced phenomics to transform global crop science. He currently serves as the Leader of the Phenomics Platform at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, where he drives innovation at the intersection of plant science, digital technologies, and climate-resilient agriculture.
A prolific scientist, Michael has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and serves as an editor and associate editor for leading international journals, contributing to the global scientific dialogue on AI-driven agriculture, phenomics, cropping systems, and plant physiology. His strong research leadership is further demonstrated through his role as Principal Investigator (PI) in several highly competitive international grants, where he collaborates with a diverse network of global research institutions, universities, private-sector partners, and national agricultural programs.
Michael’s research focuses on leveraging AI, high-throughput phenotyping, and advanced imaging to accelerate genetic improvement and uncover predictive traits, genotype–environment interactions, and climate-resilience mechanisms. His work has significantly strengthened breeding programs, enabling the development of high-yielding, nutrient-rich, and climate-smart crop varieties.
A passionate advocate for inclusive digital agriculture, Michael promotes open data initiatives and technology transfer to ensure that cutting-edge innovations benefit farmers and communities at the grassroots level. His multidisciplinary expertise—spanning agronomy, crop breeding, stress physiology, remote sensing, and computational analytics—reflects his holistic vision for a more resilient and equitable global food system.
Through his leadership, scientific contributions, and international collaborations, Michael continues to position AI-enhanced phenomics as a driving force for sustainable agricultural transformation, shaping the future of precision agriculture and global food security.
Key References
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87588-2
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-66281-w
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-024-12725-9
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13007-024-01309-w