Portalegre university builds low-energy AI tools for farms with weak internet access

The Polytechnic University of Portalegre is developing AI4PRIME, a project to bring artificial intelligence to agriculture and livestock farming. Led by Professor Sérgio Correia, it embeds AI in electronic devices that collect and process data on site, so they work even where internet access is poor. The tools are meant to monitor production conditions, anticipate relevant events and automate farm tasks, helping with rising costs, labour shortages and climate change. Solutions will be tested on pilot farms. Funded through the Alentejo 2030 regional programme with European regional development money, the project is due to finish on 31 August 2028.