Center for Digital Agriculture

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Short Course and Hackathon

Short Course Overview:

Increase competency in solving agricultural issues with artificial intelligence and computer vision during this week-long hands-on course designed for graduate students with limited experience in machine learning. 

Participate in the week-long virtual AI Foundry for Agricultural Applications short course from June 12-17, 2023. This course will offer lectures and virtual activities on topics focused on AI and machine learning in agriculture applications. Students will be mentored by faculty from the Departments of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Animal Sciences, Crop Sciences, and Industry partners. The program will teach skills applicable to many agricultural applications. The morning sessions will cover computer vision, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The afternoon session will cover applying these skills with livestock and crops focused tracks. During the last two days of the course, participants will be challenged to develop a solution to a digital agriculture problem in an inspiring Hackathon. All events will be virtual.

Participants can expect to complete the course with an increased ability to engage in conversations and idea-generation for AI applications, as well as implementing existing learning models in basic computer vision applications.

Topics We’ll Explore: 

  • Foundations of machine learning and artificial intelligence 
  • Introduction to digital technology in livestock or crop systems
  • Deep learning overview
  • Object identification and tracking models 
  • Working with datasets
  • Digital tools for managing animals or crops
  • Challenges of technology deployment in livestock or crop systems
  • Safety and human impact of AI
  • … and more!

We encourage graduate students and postdocs from any major interested in agricultural applications to apply to attend the short course. Students from populations historically underrepresented in STEM, including those from minority-serving institutions (MSIs)—such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are strongly encouraged to attend.

Students should have some background in coding (coding logic and basic pseudocode) using any language. The course will use Python, and students who do not know Python MUST complete this free self-guided training prior to the short course to be prepared to be successful in the course. 

Registration for the short course is $100. A link to pay registration will be sent after applications are reviewed. Scholarships are available to cover registration costs, subject to the availability of funds. If you have any questions or need financial assistance, please contact Christina Tucker lyvers2@illinois.edu

Applications are due May 10th, and payment will be due by May 19th to secure your spot. 

Fill out the application here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/726908226

The Hackathon will be virtual June 16-17th. Participants will be challenged to develop a solution to a digital agriculture problem in either livestock or crop systems. 

Students registered for the short course are automatically registered for the hackathon. 

If you have advanced knowledge of programming, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, you can opt to attend only the Hackathon for a reduced registration fee of $25. 

Bayer is proudly sponsoring award money for the hackathon teams. 

Schedule

The short course will be hosted virtually June 12-17th from 9am-4:30pm CST daily with a scheduled break.

Daily Schedule
09:00 - 10:30amAI/ML Lessons - Everyone Together
10:30 - 10:45amMorning Break
10:45 - 12:15pmAI/ML Lessons - Everyone Together
12:15 - 01:15pmLunch Break
01:15 - 02:45pmApplications in Ag (Pick a Track)
Track 1: Livestock
Track 2: Crop production
2:45 - 3:00pmAfternoon Break
3:00 - 4:30pmApplications in Ag (Pick a Track)
Track 1: Livestock
Track 2: Crop production

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