China’s AI-Driven Farming Offers Lessons for Emerging Markets, Syngenta Exec Says

China's integration of AI in agriculture offers valuable insights for emerging markets, according to Syngenta's Feroz Sheikh. He emphasized that AI should assist farmers in practical tasks like pest identification and weather alerts, rather than focusing on complex models. The slower adoption in agriculture is due to its risk-sensitive nature, not technology limitations. Sheikh noted that while agriculture has proof-of-concept projects, the challenge lies in scalable applications, particularly for smallholder farmers. China's experience highlights the importance of digital tools and infrastructure in transitioning AI from experimentation to everyday use.