The U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking universities and stakeholders to help create AI tools that can interpret germplasm data the agency collects.
The USDA plans to launch an Agricultural National Science & Technology Challenge later this year through the Genesis Mission and the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority. The challenge will ask innovators to develop solutions that combine different types of information, including images, field data and lab results, so scientists can identify plant and seed traits and develop crops that are more resilient and productive.
“USDA is taking concrete steps to give scientists the modern tools they need to innovate agricultural solutions from the vast plant data that they collect,” said Under Secretary and USDA Chief Scientist Dr. Scott Hutchins. “When our partners help us to solve agricultural challenges by using AI tools, we’ll unlock faster discoveries with germplasm data and grow better crops that strengthen our food system for many future generations.”
The Genesis Mission, launched in November 2025, is a national effort coordinated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to use artificial intelligence to speed up scientific discovery. Challenge teams will have access to the American Science and Security Platform, infrastructure built by the Department of Energy that will connect datasets, scientific instrumentation and AI tools.
The USDA said more details on the challenge are forthcoming. Teams are encouraged to read the full Genesis Mission Executive Order.
