Picture this: a farmer in a remote corner of the world, armed not with ancient plows or outdated forecasts, but with a ChatGPT-powered assistant tailored for agriculture. That’s no sci-fi fantasy—it’s the UAE’s newest brainchild. At COP29, Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, a UAE Presidential Court leader, dropped the mic by announcing “CHAG,” the world’s first ChatGPT tool for farming. CHAG isn’t just some tech gimmick; it’s powered by five decades of data and promises to revolutionize farming, especially for those battling unpredictable climates. The excitement at the announcement was palpable, as the audience envisioned a future where AI supports more than one billion smallholders worldwide.
But agriculture was only the appetizer on the UAE’s tech menu at COP29. In session after session, attendees marveled at how AI and innovation were being harnessed to decarbonize industries and promote green growth. Celeste Saulo of the World Meteorological Organization chimed in, emphasizing that AI tools like CHAG don’t just predict the weather—they translate forecasts into practical advice farmers can actually use. Meanwhile, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan zoomed out to the big picture, spotlighting how carbon markets and sustainable finance could bolster the UAE’s climate goals.
While agriculture was taking its digital leap, climate tech and green energy had their own starring moments. From hydrogen-powered aircraft envisioned by explorer Bertrand Piccard to Zayed Sustainability Prize winners showcasing startup-driven solutions, innovation buzzed through every panel. One standout? Sebastian Groh of SOLShare, who stressed that it’s not technology holding back climate solutions—it’s policy. His message: the tools are here; the willpower needs catching up.
COP29’s UAE Pavilion wasn’t just a venue—it was a vision board for a greener, smarter world. Whether through AI transforming food resilience or innovations revamping global power grids, the UAE made one thing clear: they’re not just participants in the climate fight; they’re leaders. As CHAG gears up to plant seeds of change in fields worldwide, the UAE’s message resonates—innovation isn’t the future; it’s the now.
(Source: WHO | Middle East Economy)
