CGIAR AI Hub Webinar Series - Episode 1: Embedding Science in Product Design without Losing the User

Why It Matters

Embedding science into user-driven AI products promises faster, scalable uptake of research in agriculture and water management; the AI for Water digital twin aims to strengthen transboundary water planning and climate resilience. Success could accelerate evidence-based decision-making and set a precedent for cross-border data sharing and policy-ready AI tools.

Summary

CGIAR AI Hub launched the first episode of its 'Groundgrown by AI Design' webinar series, advocating human-centered product development to translate agricultural science into market-ready AI tools. Host Lena Yasin outlined five hub products—Agrim (an open-source agricultural language), Genebank AI, AI for Water, Livestock AI and Policy AI—emphasizing product-led delivery and co-design with end users. Guest speakers from the UAE presidential court and partner organizations described the AI for Water initiative, which augments existing hydrological models with AI and a digital twin for the transboundary Limpopo River basin to improve forecasting and scenario testing. The project is positioned as a model for international cooperation ahead of the UAE–Senegal co-hosted 2026 UN Water Conference.

Original Description

Why do so many AI products fail to reach, or truly serve, their intended users? And at what stage should users and stakeholders co-shape product development?

To explore these questions, CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA), together with Abu Dhabi’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, launched a webinar series hosted by the CGIAR AI Hub.

The series kicks off with AI for Water and the session: Embedding science in product design without losing the user.

A panel of experts working at the intersection of science, product development, and user-centered design discuss:

- How to translate scientific evidence and AI into actionable insights

- Behind the scenes of Africa’s first AI-driven river basin digital twin

- How Abu Dhabi’s AI ecosystem connects technology, data, and scaling expertise

The opening remarks are delivered by Shatha Alaydaroos, Project Study & Development Specialist, UAE Presidential Court, followed by a keynote by Mariangel Garcia Andarcia, Research Group Leader, International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Discussant: Lina Yassin, Product Director, CGIAR Digital Transformation.