AI’s Molecular Magic: Transforming Agriculture and Food Industries
We’re entering a new era where discovering groundbreaking molecules feels more like technological magic than traditional chemistry. Advances in generative AI and machine learning have transformed molecule discovery from science fiction into reality, revolutionizing industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and agriculture.
This AI-driven transformation began over a decade ago in drug discovery, where the abundance of data allowed pharmaceutical companies to leverage AI’s potential to accelerate innovation. What once took months or years now takes mere weeks. Today, over a dozen AI-designed small molecules targeting cancer, immunological disorders, and other diseases are in clinical trials, demonstrating the power of generative algorithms to predict molecular properties with remarkable accuracy and speed.
The impact of AI extends beyond pharmaceuticals. The food industry, traditionally limited by small datasets, is now using AI to discover functional ingredients – natural molecules or proteins designed for specific tastes, textures, or health benefits. Several startups are using AI platforms to analyze extensive databases of plant and microbial proteins, identifying candidates for food security applications and contributing to innovative food alternatives.
Agriculture is also seeing breakthroughs thanks to AI-assisted molecular discovery. Researchers have adapted drug discovery techniques to identify novel nitrification inhibitors – compounds that reduce nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizers. By screening approximately 45,000 small molecules, they identified multiple inhibitor combinations that are more effective and versatile than existing solutions.
While AI is revolutionizing molecule discovery, human verification, testing, and safety validation remain essential. These crucial steps ensure that every groundbreaking molecule is safe, effective, and poised to deliver tangible benefits to humanity. As we move forward, the combination of AI-driven discovery and human expertise will be the key to creating healthier, more sustainable, and impactful solutions for global food security.
The writer, Marina Lisitsin, is AI manager in the R&D Division of ICL.
