Syngenta’s Chief Digital Officer Weighs in on Leveraging AI for Digital Transformation in Legacy Companies
Editor’s note: In a recent blog on Software is Feeding the World (SFTW), agrifoodtech consultant Rhishi Pethe shares a conversation with Feroz Sheikh, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer at Syngenta Group, who shares insight on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the agricultural industry. Here’s a summary of that article:
In a recent interview, Feroz Sheikh, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer at Syngenta Group, shares his expertise on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the agricultural industry. With over six years at Syngenta, Feroz offers a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities that legacy industries like agriculture face in adopting AI and digital technologies. He explains how Syngenta has navigated its digital transformation, building the necessary infrastructure, organizational mindset, and data capabilities to successfully deploy AI-driven solutions.
Feroz outlines Syngenta’s ongoing AI initiatives, including the launch of Cropwise AI, a tool designed to help farmers in both smallholder and large markets. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration with industry innovators and how these partnerships are accelerating the development of cutting-edge AI applications that can significantly improve farming practices. Feroz also highlights how AI is enhancing Syngenta’s R&D efforts, enabling more efficient and data-driven solutions to challenges faced by modern agriculture.
Beyond the technology itself, Feroz delves into the key elements for successful AI implementation, stressing that the formula for success is not just about data and algorithms. He argues that 70% of the challenge lies in organizational readiness and the willingness to embrace change, with data (10%) and digital tools (20%) playing supporting roles. He reflects on how this perspective has evolved over time, noting that leadership and the ability to create success stories within the organization are critical to driving AI adoption. With Syngenta’s new CEO, Jeff Rowe — a tech-savvy farmer himself — leading the charge, Feroz is confident that the company is well-positioned to continue pioneering innovation, with data becoming a cornerstone of modern farming practices.
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This interview not only sheds light on Syngenta’s AI vision but also illustrates the broader shift taking place in agriculture, where the integration of AI and data science is expected to revolutionize how farming is done and how the industry addresses its most pressing challenges.
For more in-depth coverage, visit SFTW (Software Feeding the World).
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