Food and Water Systems in the Intelligent Age 2024

Introduction Ensuring lasting, sustainable food and water systems is critical to maintaining a functioning society. A fundamental enabler of food systems, water is increasingly becoming an at-risk resource, with the food system representing 72% of water withdrawals worldwide.1 Water and food security are inextricably linked, and estimates suggest that an additional 80 million people will be at risk of hunger by 2050 due to water risks influenced by climate change.2 The current trends and practices in production and consumption are not sustainable, with climate change exacerbating existing issues. It is projected that global food production will increase by 70%, intensifying pressures on land, water, labour, nutrients and energy.3 For the first time in history, the hydrological cycle is out of balance from decades of mismanagement and undervaluation of water resources.4 While demand for food and water rises, water resources become even more scarce or unpredictable. Emerging technological advances, data solutions and innovation present a unique opportunity to secure food and water systems and facilitate large- scale transition. The limited availability of clean water means that to ensure better food and water security and improve decision-making, data and evidence from these two sectors need to be more effectively integrated. Data-driven decision-making is essential to support stakeholders in selecting water-smart methods and incentivize sustainable production and consumption choices that reduce water use per nutritional unit.5 The Global Future Council (GFC) on Food and Water Security provides necessary strategic foresight as well as insight into the interconnected impacts of food and water systems, harnessing the power of innovation and technology as a catalyst for change.6 Comprised of leaders with expertise in food, water, technology, policy and finance, the GFC recommends the implementation of an evidence-based framework to inform decision-makers on the inherent link between food and water security. It additionally supplies guidance on the potential use of innovation in effectively navigating these issue areas. Data stacks – which consolidate and synthesize diverse datasets on one integrated platform and use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to inform recommendations – are one way of creating a data-driven decision-making framework. Currently, much of the data is either low-quality, unused or outdated. The stack, when adopted, can allow for better data sourcing, integration and interoperability. This paper presents this framework, case studies and key recommendations for stakeholders to adopt an intelligent decision- making tool, enabling them to capitalize on the latest developments in technologies. Emerging technological advances, data solutions and innovation present a unique opportunity to secure food and water systems and facilitate large-scale transition. With open access to data, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, we have the tools we need to co-design resilient and fair food and water systems and create real change. The food-water stack created by the Global Future Council on Food and Water Security provides an integrated view for leveraging the latest in tech and AI to food and water decision-making in the 21st century, and secure a thriving future for people everywhere and our planet. Usha Rao-Monari and Ranveer Chandra, Co-Chairs of the Global Future Council on Food and Water Security 4 Food and Water Systems in the Intelligent Age