The algorithm has escaped! It’s in the greenhouse!

Food Ladder works to combat food insecurity through school-based greenhouse programs, working with students to grow fruit and vegetables and reap the mental and physical health benefits.

Now it has teamed with the national science agency, CSIRO, and the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) to let AI drive the work, seeking to optimise food crop growth by calibrating water, energy and fertiliser use with an algorithm. Students’ heart rate variability, movement and stress levels will be monitored by wearable devices as they work in the greenhouses.

The four-year research project is being funded through a CSIRO Industry PhD program. The science agency says the Food Ladder project is one of the first Australian examples of “quantum machine-learning being used in a non-quantum industry, generating real world evidence for how advanced technologies can solve complex optimisation challenges in education, health and food systems.”

For Food Ladder, it’s all about algorithms leading to full stomachs. “Food security and wellbeing are inseparable,” said the not-for-profit’s CEO and co-founder, Kelly McJannett. “This partnership shows how the smartest minds and the most advanced technology can be applied in the service of students and communities. Together with CSIRO and UniSQ, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – creating schools that not only feed and educate but also heal and inspire.”

Food Ladder already has a strong record in contributing to better health for school children. Its greenhouse programs have been proven to lift attendance, improve literacy and numeracy, and create quiet, safe spaces for children experiencing distress. The NFP said recent reports from schools found its greenhouses “are becoming critical tools in suicide prevention programs, offering a safe and restorative space for young people in crisis”.

What the greenhouses produce matters, too. The need for optimised harvests within the greenhouses is stark when you consider that in Australia, 94 per cent of children don’t eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables, according to the CSIRO.

Seen through a wider lens, food insecurity is a global crisis, with an estimated 733 million people facing hunger, according to Food Ladder.

The CSIRO’s Dr Farina Riaz pointed to the potential for AI to help solve the crisis, saying, “This collaboration is the first instance in Australia where a non-quantum industry, specifically the agriculture and education sectors, is actively applying quantum-reinforced AI algorithms. It also marks a significant step in connecting quantum technologies with real-world industries, helping build a healthier and more sustainable future for young Australians.”

Tasked with researching the therapeutic benefits of student interactions with plants, University of Southern Queensland professor of computer science Dr Rajib Rana said the project’s potential to increase student wellbeing should not be overlooked.

“The mental health benefits of green spaces are well established. This project moves beyond awareness to measuring and optimising those effects,” he said. “By integrating advanced AI technology with real-world data from schools, we can better understand how programs like Food Ladder help nurture calm, focus, and resilience in children facing disadvantage.”

More information

Potential PhD students wanting to be involved in the project can read more here.

Food Ladder’s website