AUT bee research creates AI buzz
Upcoming research by AUT computer scientist Dr Mahsa Mohaghegh will create a buzz within the United States’ apiculture industry.
The Senior Lecturer at AUT’s School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences has received a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to explore the integration of artificial intelligence into beekeeping to help advance the multi-billion-dollar industry.
Dr Mohaghegh’s research will take place later this year at the Farm Security Operations Centre (FSOC) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro North Carolina.
She says the work will use cutting-edge technology to advance beekeeping.
“The goal is to enhance precision beekeeping, reduce biosecurity risks, and secure smart apiculture technologies,” Dr Mohaghegh says.
“This initiative also aims to safeguard our food supply chain, promote environmental sustainability, and involve beekeepers in scientific endeavours.”
Dr Mohaghegh says the premise of the research is that artificial intelligence can interpret bees' buzz, which means an AI system can be trained to use this buzz for precise beekeeping.
Fulbright New Zealand announced the seven recipients of the 2024 scholarships this month.
The prestigious scholarships are worth up to $60,600 for New Zealand academics, artists and professionals to study and/or lecture at a US institution of their choosing.
Other research subjects covered by this year’s cohort include indigenous language, childhood nutrition and young adult justice.
The Fulbright Programme is one of the largest and most significant educational exchanges of scholars in the world.
New Zealand signed up to the programme in 1948 and has, since then, awarded more than 1900 scholarships to New Zealanders to undertake further research in the US, and welcomed more than 1600 Americans on exchanges to New Zealand.