Intro
EY US and Bayer have jointly secured the coveted “Artificial Intelligence for Good” Award in the 2025 AI Breakthrough Awards Program. Their collaboration harnesses cutting-edge AI to tackle global challenges in agriculture, offering farmers smarter tools to boost yields, cut costs, and protect the planet. This recognition highlights how two industry leaders can unite their strengths—deep domain expertise and advanced analytics—to deliver real, positive impact.
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The AI Breakthrough Awards Program is an independent industry recognition platform that celebrates the world’s most innovative artificial intelligence technologies. In 2025, the program shone a spotlight on projects driving social, environmental, and economic good. EY US and Bayer took top honors in the “Artificial Intelligence for Good” category, which rewards solutions that apply AI in ways that benefit society at large.
At the heart of this award-winning initiative is an AI-driven decision-support platform for sustainable agriculture. The system combines satellite imagery, field sensors, and weather data to create a real-time picture of crop health. Advanced machine-learning models analyze these inputs to predict irrigation needs, disease outbreaks, and yield potential. The platform then delivers tailored, easy-to-follow recommendations directly to farmers’ mobile devices.
By integrating Bayer’s deep ag-science knowledge with EY’s data analytics and cloud-native engineering capabilities, the joint team built a scalable solution that navigates the complexity of modern farming. Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all advice, the platform adapts to local conditions—soil type, crop variety, and climate patterns—to optimize every planting season.
Early pilot tests reveal impressive results. In Brazil, trial farms using the AI platform saw an average 15% boost in yield while cutting fertilizer use by 20%. In the U.S. Midwest, crops were delivered to harvest with 30% fewer water-related losses. Farmers in India reported clearer insights into disease risks, helping them act swiftly and reduce pesticide applications by up to 25%.
These performance gains translate into stronger farm income, lower input costs, and less environmental strain. By reducing runoff and greenhouse-gas emissions tied to overwatering and overfertilizing, the project aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger (Goal 2) and Climate Action (Goal 13).
Cathy Watson, EY US Agriculture and Sustainability Leader, said: “This award underscores the power of AI when it’s applied with purpose. Working with Bayer, we’ve created a tool that stands to benefit millions of farmers, their communities, and our planet. By tapping into data at scale, we can help growers make smarter choices—right down to the specific row in a field. That level of precision drives better yields, lower costs, and a lighter environmental footprint.”
Dr. Marcus Neumann, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Bayer Crop Science, added: “Our goal is to empower farmers with actionable insights. The EY partnership brings world-class analytics and cloud services to our ag-science expertise. Together, we’re proving that sustainable farming and profitability can go hand in hand. Winning this award reflects our shared commitment to innovation for good and sets a new standard for responsible agriculture.”
Beyond the immediate farm-level benefits, the platform is designed for global scale. Its modular architecture lets new data sources—such as drone imagery or soil DNA tests—be layered in over time. Moreover, the solution can extend to a variety of crops, from grains and vegetables to specialty fruits. With plans to expand into Southeast Asia and Africa later this year, EY US and Bayer aim to reach tens of thousands more growers.
Looking ahead, the teams plan to enhance the user experience with voice-enabled features and local language support. They also intend to integrate financial services, connecting farmers to lenders and insurers based on real-time risk profiles. By weaving together agronomy, analytics, and financial tools, the collaboration aspires to create a holistic platform that supports sustainable, profitable farming worldwide.
3 Key Takeaways
• Purpose-Driven AI: EY US and Bayer’s platform uses AI to address food security and climate resilience.
• Measurable Impact: Pilot farms have seen up to 15% higher yields and 25% lower chemical use.
• Scalable Solution: Built for global reach with a modular design that adapts to new regions and crops.
3-Question FAQ
Q1: What makes this AI platform different from other farm-management tools?
A1: Unlike generic farm apps, this platform leverages deep-learning models trained on vast agronomic datasets. It delivers location-specific, crop-specific insights rather than broad guidelines, helping farmers make precise decisions.
Q2: How does the system collect and process data?
A2: The platform ingests multispectral satellite imagery, on-the-ground sensor readings, and weather forecasts. Cloud-based machine-learning algorithms analyze these inputs in real time and push recommendations to a mobile app or web portal.
Q3: Can smallholder farmers access this technology?
A3: Yes. The solution is designed for low-bandwidth environments and supports basic smartphones. EY US and Bayer are partnering with local cooperatives and NGOs to subsidize access and provide training in remote regions.
Call to Action
Discover how AI can transform your agriculture projects or sustainability initiatives. Visit www.ey-bayer-ai4good.com to learn more, request a demo, or join our upcoming webinars on responsible AI in farming. Let’s grow smarter together!
