Posts Tagged: 2024
ESRI User Conference 2004 in San Diego - Day 3: Embracing AI
The third day of the ESRI User Conference was an exhilarating deep dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence. The AI Summit, the first of its kind hosted by ESRI, focused on the integration of AI into the ESRI ArcGIS Suite of software and tools. The excitement in the air was palpable as attendees explored the transformative potential of AI in GIS.
AI Summit Highlights
The AI Summit highlighted the strategic incorporation of AI into two broad categories within the ArcGIS ecosystem: GeoAI and AI Assistants.
- GeoAI: This category encompasses advanced AI models and algorithms specifically designed forgeospatial analysis. Attendees learned about howGeoAI can enhance spatial data interpretation, improve predictive modeling, and support more accurate decision-making. The sessions showcased real-world applications, demonstrating howGeoAI is being used to tackle complex challenges. These tools included:
- Deep Learning Models and object detection and pixel classification
- Unstructured text searching and geocoding
- and many others
- AI Assistants: These tools are designed to augment the user experience within theArcGIS platform, making it more intuitive and efficient. AI Assistants leverage generative AI to provide intelligent recommendations, automate routine tasks, and enhance data visualization. The demonstrations highlighted how these assistants can streamlineworkflows, improve productivity, and empower users to extract deeper insights from their data. AI assistants are being included in:
- Help documentation, online and within ArcGIS Pro
- Webmapping - Smart mapping
- Survey 123 webform design
- ArcGIS AI Hub Assistant
- and the list goes on
Innovative Applications and Future Directions
Throughout the day, experts and innovators shared their experiences and insights on the cutting-edge applications of AI in GIS. From machine learning models that classify historic and current aerial photos to AI-driven tools that optimize road condition extraction from full motion video capture, the presentations underscored the vast potential of AI to revolutionize the field.
Exciting Outcomes
One significant outcome of the day was my decision to request access to ArcGIS Hub Premium and its AI Assistant. This powerful tool will enable the querying of geospatial data created and maintained by IGIS and UCANR using AI using a natural language model. This will open up major opportunities for those needing information about UCANR and data that is important to Californians, making it easier to access, analyze, and leverage critical geospatial information.
Looking Ahead
The integration of AI into the ArcGIS Suite represents a significant leap forward, promising to unlock new possibilities for geospatial analysis and decision-making. As the conference progresses, attendees are eager to see how these advancements will continue to evolve and shape the future of GIS.
Perspective on AI
In response to concerns that AI might replace GIS professionals, the panelists provided some important perspectives. They emphasized that GIS professionals may potentially lose their jobs if they don't embrace AI. Just like if a GIS Professional was still using AML or Avenue programming laguages instead of modern languages and tools, they would eventually be replaced by someone who was using new languages and tools. The was reinforced a comment by one panelist who added, "If you lose your job because of AI, it will be to someone who is using AI."
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the 2024 ESRI User Conference! The journey into the future of GIS, powered by AI, has just begun.
/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>UC food-safety specialist tests biosensors to ensure safe produce
Ahmed El-Moghazy joined UC Agriculture and Natural Resources as a UC Cooperative Extension food safety specialist in February and is based at UC Riverside. Food safety, according to El-Moghazy, are measures that ensure food is free from harmful contaminants, prevent foodborne illnesses and is safe to eat. El-Moghazy is responsible for assisting California farmers and food processing facilities to enhance food safety practices by training appropriate personnel and addressing food-safety issues on their farms.
As the principal investigator for the 2-SAFE Lab at UC Riverside, El-Moghazy is investigating the accuracy and applicability of point-of-use biosensor technology. The small, lightweight and easy-to-use sensor can be used while out in the field or in a packing house to test contamination of liquids such as irrigation and washing water or solids like food samples.
Testing for foodborne pathogens traditionally takes two to three days and the process can be costly. The biosensor technology that El-Moghazy is using is inexpensive and can provide results within one work shift, which allows businesses that grow fresh produce to confirm the safety of their products before sending them to the market.
The alternative, selling contaminated food to consumers, is not only detrimental to human health, but can ruin the reputation of businesses, making way for unanticipated costs associated with recalling contaminated products and regulatory consequences including fines and sanctions.
El-Moghazy is also developing the next generation of antimicrobial surface coatings and materials that can rapidly control the foodborne pathogens and hinder the transfer of harmful bacteria from contaminated food to non-contaminated food.
El-Moghazy is optimistic that his research can safeguard public health, reduce the burden of foodborne illness and protect the integrity of businesses. Although El-Moghazy serves the entire state, he is dedicating a large part of his needs assessment and efforts in Southern California where high-value specialty crops such as avocados and citrus are grown.
"Did you know that one in every six Americans get sick from eating food contaminated with a foodborne pathogen?" asked El-Moghazy. Understanding the fatality of foodborne illnesses, El-Moghazy believes that increasing awareness through education is an essential aspect of his role. "It's true, but not many people realize this, or that 40% of foodborne illnesses stem from fresh produce."
To protect consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires farms with a certain level of annual sales (adjusted for inflation) of fruits and vegetables typically consumed raw to have one employee who has completed an FDA-approved Produce Safety Rule Grower Training.
In addition to certified trainings, El-Moghazy offers technical assistance to ensure growers comply before and after inspections, as well as resources for several topics including produce safety, agriculture water, flooding, soil amendments, worker health, hygiene and training and postharvest handling and sanitation. He can also assist in developing food-safety plans and other general farm food-safety protocols. His technical expertise covers all aspects of food production and supply including irrigation water quality, hygiene of harvesting tools and transportation.
Before joining ANR, El-Moghazy completed two years as a visiting scholar in the UC Davis Biological and Agricultural Engineering department before continuing as a postdoctoral fellow in the UC Davis Food Science and Technology department for 5 years. Much of his work was rooted in the development of biosensors and antimicrobial materials for food safety. While in Davis, he collaborated with local farms and food processing companies on food safety research and extension.
El-Moghazy earned a Ph.D. studying developmental biosensors for food safety applications to detect pesticides residues from a joint program offered by University of Perpignan in France and Alexandria University in Egypt. He also earned a master's degree in developmental biobased fungicides and a bachelor's in agriculture science from Alexandria University. Finally, he completed a fellowship at the Institute of Plant Protection, Szent Istvan University in Hungary, where he studied how to extend shelf-life of fresh produce using biomaterials.
El-Moghazy is based at UC Riverside in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology. He can be reached at aelmogha@ucr.edu or (951) 827-0257.
2024-25 UC Cooperative Extension positions announced
Dear Colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that I announce that the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is continuing to support the research and extension needs of California through placement of new University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor and Specialist positions. Thanks to extensive collaboration with campuses across the UC system, our UC Research and Extension Centers (RECS), UCCE County offices, and our many partners in government and the private sector, the following positions have been approved for recruitment:
UCCE Advisors:
Discipline/Specialty |
Counties Served |
Office Location |
4-H Youth Development: College and Career Readiness |
Lake and Mendocino |
To be determined (TBD) |
4-H Youth Development: College and Career Readiness |
Alameda and Contra Costa |
Alameda
|
4-H Youth Development: College and Career Readiness |
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura |
TBD |
4-H Youth Development: Leadership and Civic Engagement |
Modoc, Lassen, Plumas and Sierra |
Lassen |
Agricultural Workforce Development |
San Joaquin Valley |
TBD |
Agronomy |
Sacramento, Solano and Yolo |
Yolo |
Avocado, Citrus, and Subtropical Fruits |
Riverside and San Diego |
San Diego |
Citrus and Pistachio |
Kern, Kings and Tulare |
Tulare |
Commensal Rodents & Urban Wildlife Integrated Pest Management |
Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara |
Santa Clara |
Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Resiliency |
Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz |
TBD |
Environmental Horticulture |
Riverside and San Bernardino |
TBD |
Environmental Horticulture & Controlled Environment Agriculture |
Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo and Santa Cruz |
TBD |
Field and Vegetable Crops Integrated Pest Management |
Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare |
West Side REC |
Food Systems |
Los Angeles and Ventura |
Ventura |
Fruit Postharvest Handling |
Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare |
Lindcove REC |
Horticulture and Small Farms |
Nevada and Placer |
Placer |
Livestock and Natural Resources |
Lake and Mendocino |
Mendocino |
Livestock and Natural Resources |
Marin and Sonoma |
Sonoma |
Livestock and Natural Resources |
Shasta and Trinity |
Shasta |
Low Desert Weed Management |
Imperial and Riverside |
Imperial |
Nutrient Management & Forage Systems |
Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus |
Stanislaus |
One Health Integrated Produce Safety |
Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz |
TBD |
Orchard Systems: Almond, Apricots, Peaches, and Pistachio |
San Joaquin and Stanislaus |
Stanislaus |
Orchard Systems: Apples, Cherries, Olives, and Walnuts |
San Joaquin and Stanislaus |
San Joaquin |
Outdoor Recreation/Connected Communities |
Lassen, Plumas and Sierra |
Plumas |
Vegetable Crops |
Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter and Yuba |
Colusa |
Vegetable Crop and Weed Science |
Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz |
Monterey |
Viticulture and Tree Fruit |
Sacramento, Solano and Yolo |
Sacramento |
Weed Science |
Marin, Napa and Sonoma |
Sonoma |
Specialists:
Discipline/Specialty |
Host / Location |
Agricultural Acarologist |
UC Riverside Dept. of Entomology / Kearney REC |
Agricultural Economics: Small Farms and Rural Economic Development |
UC Santa Cruz Department of Economics; Center for Agroecology |
Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources Computational Data Science |
UC San Diego Supercomputer Center |
Agricultural Waste Management and Bioenergy Production |
UC Merced Dept. of Mechanical Engineering |
Agricultural Policy |
UC ANR / California Dept. of Food and Agriculture |
Agricultural Technology Workforce Development |
UC ANR / TBD |
Beef Cattle Production Systems |
UC Davis Dept. of Animal Science |
Climate Resilient Orchard Systems |
UC Davis Dept. of Plant Sciences |
Climate Resilient Rural Community Development |
UC Berkeley ESPM |
Coastal Hydrology Agriculture and Water Resilience |
UC Santa Cruz Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Center for Agroecology |
Coastal Produce Safety Systems |
UC ANR / USDA ARS Salinas |
Field Trials and Testbeds Design and Operation |
UC ANR VINE / Kearney and Westside RECs |
Food Safety/Drones/Remote Sensing |
UC Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology Center (MBEST) |
Groundwater Quantity and Quality |
UC Merced Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering / West Side REC |
Mental and Emotional Health in Youth Families and Communities |
UC Davis Dept. of Human Ecology |
Oak Woodland Management and Conservation |
UC ANR / Hopland REC |
Organic Production: ANR OAI Academic Director |
UC Merced Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences |
Outdoor Recreation |
UC ANR / CA Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development |
Recycled Water Reuse and Brackish Water Desalination |
UC Davis Dept. of Land, Air and Water Resources; Biological and Agricultural Engineering |
Sustainable Dairy Cattle Nutrition |
UC Davis Dept. of Animal Science |
The UCCE Advisor positions will be released for recruitment in small batches over the next several months to facilitate engagement of various selection committees. The UCCE Specialists will be released to campuses for recruitment upon completion of the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) currently being renewed between UC ANR and the campuses/host sites.
We wish to thank the UC ANR program teams, county and REC directors, leadership from the UC campuses, the Program Council, and all of our collaborative partners who assisted with this position call, submissions and reviews. We truly could not be successful without your engagement and expertise.
Glenda Humiston
Vice President
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