How will our food system be impacted by AI?
AI is currently generating widespread discussion, from debates about its potential to end humanity to excitement over innovations like ChatGPT, with its rapid progress likened to the world wide web's seismic shift 32 years ago. However, what's often overlooked is Africa's absence in the data that powers AI. Less than 5% of AI training data pertains to Africa and less than 3% of that 5% comes from the continent itself, highlighting a significant gap in representation.
This year, the 2025 Food Indaba opens that conversation to the public with a powerful theme - 'AI and the Food System.' From 7–20 July, more than 20 events across Cape Town will explore how AI might influence farming, food access, nutrition education and the way we think about food justice in Africa.
In this context, what does AI mean for Africa and what does it mean for African food systems? Will it help dismantle the power structures that reinforce injustice and drive bad outcomes, or will it turbo-charge them? What difference can we make in re-shaping our food system to be more healthy, sustainable and just if we have more understanding and more agency in shaping AI in ways that respond to our needs?
With more than 20 events planned to run over two weeks in venues across the city, the 2025 Food Indaba will explore the connections between AI and the Food System.
'This is a pivotal moment for those working to change the Food System. To learn about what AI can do, how they can best use these tools to reach their goals, and how they can ensure that the valuable data they are generating becomes part of the existing models and helps improve the way AI understands and represents Africa in food and all other aspects of our lives,' said South African Urban Food and Farming Trust CEO, Kurt Ackermann.
This year, the event programme is broken down into a professional focus, with events taking place during the week and a general public focus, with events clustered largely around weekends. Two workshops on AI and Food Entrepreneurship will be hosted by the Oribi Incubator at Makers Landing and this year's full day conference brings together AI thought leaders from across the country, to share their insights into the current state of AI and how those in the food system could be harnessing the power of AI.
Additional events include the addition of Food Systems Walking Tours in Bellville and Langa, in addition to the Cape Town CBD Food Systems Walking Tour. The Art Cafe High Tea series at the 16 on Lerotholi Gallery in Langa returns, as does the Dialogues through Food chef-led dining series. Everyone is invited to enjoy herbal tea with an urban farmer at the Oranjezicht City Farm and the Lerotholi Urban Farm as part of Tea with a Farmer.
This year for kids ages 6 to 10 the Food Indaba has partnered with the Cape Town Science Centre to run a series of chemistry and cooking workshops. There will again be a focus on Teens and the Food System, for ages 12 to 19.
For the first time, the Food Indaba will offer combo ticket options for those wishing to book bundles of events or even a full-access pass. Ticket prices start at R120. Discounted early bird tickets are now live at quicket.com/FI25 for key Food Indaba 2025 events.
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