IEEE Future Directions: Smart AgriFood Systems Initiative

Smart Agri-Food Systems

The IEEE Future Directions Committee has formed a new Initiative, “Smart Agri-Food Systems,” (SmartAg), whose mission is to apply technology throughout the food supply chain to connect farmers, food processors, packagers, researchers, engineers and policymakers around the world to solve challenges facing the food production industry.

It aims to highlight how tools like Artificial Intelligence, Data, the Internet of Things, robotics, and sensors can drive safety, sustainability, resiliency and productivity across the system.

The Smart Agri-Food Systems Initiative invites you to attend this workshop and play an active role in its future by

(1) helping focus its work on challenges that are critical to you;

(2) establishing durable collaborations to address these challenges;

(3) shaping the overall direction and structure of the initiative.

Your participation will impact not only the initiative, but also an entire community now forming within IEEE and poised to become a key player in this important technical space.

Workshop program

The workshop is structured in two distinct sessions:

1) Friday, 25 September 2026 (Afternoon)

An exciting lineup of presentations which will set the stage, raise questions, and stimulate ideas.

This portion of the workshop is open to anyone interested, whether you are an expert or want to learn more about this space. Please register, attendance is free.

2) Saturday, 26 September 2026 (Morning)

A discussion session for experts and initiative volunteers. This is designed to provide more insights to those who wish to become involved in the initiative’s work, either as technical experts or sub-group volunteer leaders. Time will be spent brainstorming about challenges and priorities, and plans will be laid out to publish a white paper on Smart Agri-Food Systems.

Please register if you are interested in becoming a part of this community. Attendance is also free.

Workshop goals

Friday Afternoon

Convene the SmartAg community

Friday Afternoon

Develop scope and priorities for the initiative

Saturday Morning

Form volunteer leadership groups

Saturday Morning

Create partnerships inside and outside of IEEE

How to register

If you want to attend the Workshop only
Registration is free of charge and is done through a dedicated form:

Workshop-only registration grants access to the two workshop sessions only. It does not include access to the IEEE CAFE 2026 technical sessions, keynotes, social events or any other conference activity.

If you are attending IEEE CAFE 2026

Please, use the standard Conference Registration form and select the Workshop attendance options during the registration process. Your conference registration already covers participation in the workshop sessions.

Workshop only Registration Form

Conference Registration Form