It’s always sobering to attend the annual World Food Prize activities in Des Moines and hear about the ongoing persistence of hunger problems across the globe. 

The event opened with a coalition of past World Food Prize laureates warning that the world is “not even close” to meeting future food needs, with an estimated 700 million people going hungry today and an additional 1.5 billion people to feed by 2050.

Quite honestly, statistics like that feel a little overwhelming. But the event also provides hope, bringing together many of the brightest minds in the world who are working to solve the problem. 

Cargill CEO Brian Sikes de­­scribed how the company is using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce and distribute more food more efficiently. Some examples include tracking and collecting data for ocean transportation shipments to ensure on-time arrivals. That’s important in a globally connected supply chain, he said.

“We produce enough food, but we don’t get it to them at the right place, at the right time, at the right price,” Sikes said.

Cargill is also using AI camera technology in its meat processing plants to increase meat yields by ensuring as little waste as possible. Even a small improvement can make a big difference, he noted. For example, with U.S. beef production of about 28 billion pounds, a 1% improvement would mean more than 200 million pounds of food on the table rather than going to waste, he said.

By leveraging technology and working together, Sikes said he’s confident the ag industry can make a difference in solving hunger issues. “I’m completely optimistic we can do this. The bigger the challenges, the more our people stand up and meet that.”