Members of the department recently attended Synergy Days 2026 in Kilkenny, Ireland, joining digital innovators from across Europe’s agri-food sector to discuss digital innovation, sustainability, and the future of agriculture.

The conference featured plenary discussions, interactive workshops, project pitches, technology demonstrations, and field visits to local farms and research facilities, providing valuable practical perspectives on emerging technologies.

A key focus of the event was the growing integration of artificial intelligence across agricultural research, governance, advisory services, and daily farm decision-making. While the potential of AI is significant, a central challenge remains translating these innovations into reliable, accessible tools for practical application.

Our department maintains that European farmers must remain central to this digital transition—not merely as end users, but as active co-designers of technologies aligned with operational realities. Integrating producer knowledge and experience is vital to building a resilient and sustainable food system.