Artificial intelligence solutions that transform the way food assistance reaches people facing hunger were on display during an exhibition at an AI meeting this week in New Delhi, India.
From biometric grain dispensers and smart warehouses to crisis-mapping platforms and humanitarian communication avatars, the UN World Food Programme ( WFP ) showcase at the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit demonstrated how data and machine learning are being applied to strengthen food and nutrition systems at scale.
Among the most visible innovations is Annapurti - a "grain ATM" - that allows beneficiaries of public food programmes to authenticate with biometrics and collect rations quickly and accurately.
Fast access to grain
WFP India Representative Elisabeth Faure explained its impact: "They put their finger, they collect their grain very quickly and in a dignified way, and it's accurate and provides 24/7 access."
The system means families no longer need to sacrifice a day's wages to receive their entitlements. It is already being scaled nationally and has expanded to neighbouring Nepal.
Another solution focused on smart warehouses, where sensors track moisture, pests and stock levels in real time, helping prevent food spoilage and improve supply-chain decisions.
Route-optimization tools were also highlighted, supporting India's vast public distribution network that delivers food to more than 800 million people each month through over 600,000 shops, reducing both delivery times and carbon emissions.
Parvinder Singh, Head of Communications and Media at WFP India, said the summit's significance lay in both its location and its purpose.
"This event is very important because it is happening in the Global South and in India," he said, noting that the exhibition demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be applied to humanitarian and development work, especially to address food security challenges.
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