Solving global crisis through open innovation

Summary

This episode delves into how global leaders are addressing critical challenges like food security through open innovation and collaboration. Experts such as Julie Linn Teigland, Murad Al Katib, and others discuss the importance of collective efforts from diverse communities, including young people, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Highlighting initiatives like the Farm to Fork Challenge and EY Open Science Data Challenge, the episode underscores the need for scalable solutions driven by technology and cooperation across sectors to tackle crises like climate change, food inflation, and malnutrition.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Global crises, such as pandemics, macroeconomic pressures, and food supply chain challenges, are prompting innovative solutions through collaboration.
• 🚜 Food security is a global emergency caused by systemic problems, and solving it requires scalable solutions from diverse sources, including students, entrepreneurs, and those from less-developed countries.
• 💡 Open innovation challenges like the Farm to Fork Challenge engage a wide range of participants, encouraging innovative interventions across the agricultural supply chain.
• 🥣 AGT Food and Ingredients focuses on sustainable, plant-based protein and collaborates with farmers to address global food insecurity.
• 🌱 Agriculture must rapidly scale up to meet future food demands—producing as much food in the next 40 years as has been produced over the last 10,000 years.
• 🤝 Collaboration between public and private sectors is essential, with innovation and technology at the forefront to address major challenges like food security.
• 🎯 Companies need to align their purpose with solving global issues, shift to collaborative ecosystems, and involve employees in driving impactful solutions.
• 🔬 The EY Open Science Data Challenge opens up research to a broader audience, encouraging students and professionals to contribute to solving global problems through data.
• 🏫 Universities like Cornell collaborate with organizations like EY to combine research expertise with practical pathways toward solving climate, energy, food, and health challenges.
• 👩‍🔬 Participating in challenges like the EY Data Challenge provides hands-on experience, showcasing how skills can be applied to real-world problems and fostering motivation to make a difference.

Q & A

What are some of the global crises that have impacted the world in recent years?

Global crises include pandemics, macroeconomic pressures, and challenging food supply chains, all of which have prompted leaders to seek innovative solutions.

Why is open innovation considered important in tackling global issues like food security?

Open innovation allows for collaboration across diverse sectors and geographies, including traditionally excluded groups like students, young entrepreneurs, and those in developing countries. This diversity brings fresh perspectives to solving complex global issues.

What is the 'Farm to Fork Challenge,' and what was its goal?

The 'Farm to Fork Challenge' is a global ideathon designed to generate and accelerate solutions to food security across the entire supply chain. It called for innovative ideas from companies, scientists, entrepreneurs, and even high school students.

What is the main focus of AGT Food and Ingredients, and how do they contribute to food security?

AGT Food and Ingredients focuses on sustainable, plant-based protein production, encouraging farmers to grow pulse crops like lentils, peas, chickpeas, and beans. They aim to fill the global protein gap, especially in vulnerable regions.

Why is collaboration between private organizations, governments, and other sectors essential in solving global food security issues?

The complexity and scale of issues like food security require an ecosystem approach where different sectors collaborate, combining technological, commercial, and consumer insights. No single organization can solve these problems alone.

What role do universities and research institutions like the Cornell Atkinson Center play in addressing global challenges?

Universities provide deep research expertise and knowledge creation. However, they often rely on external organizations like EY to help translate research into practical solutions that impact corporations, public policies, and society.

What was the result of the Farm to Fork Challenge in terms of participation and outcomes?

The challenge received 222 submissions from participants in 35 countries, with over 1,500 people contributing. It highlighted that individuals and teams are already developing innovative solutions to food security that can be scaled.

How does EY’s Open Science Data Challenge contribute to solving sustainability challenges?

The EY Open Science Data Challenge opens up research beyond academia, engaging students and young professionals globally to tackle sustainability issues using data science. It also collaborates with organizations like NASA and MIT to align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What are the three main ways companies can take action to address global challenges, according to Beatriz Sanz Sáiz?

Beatriz Sanz Sáiz suggests that companies can: 1) adopt purpose-driven missions that align with global challenges, 2) embrace ecosystems and collaboration, and 3) engage their workforce by aligning company goals with employees’ desire to contribute.

What is Murad Al Katib's vision for the future of food security?

Murad Al Katib hopes that the world's most vulnerable populations will have access to the nutrition they need. He believes that combining available resources like land and water with innovation will help make plant-based products more accessible globally.