Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 N OV E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 5 increasingly brittle and fragile. We believe that farms should be treated like utilities. at critical infrastructure is embedded in cities to serve com- munities directly. So, we use technol- ogy to create a global prototype that can address these issues and create a smart, resilient, inclusive food system." rough a partnership with Sie- mens, Vertical Harvest is developing advanced automation and data collec- tion systems with its manufacturing execution system. Every growing tray is equipped with sensors that capture millions of data points on the plants and their environment. is data is then transformed into action, with AI applied to yield forecasting and environmental adjustments in real time, ultimately producing stronger, healthier plants. "e proprietary Vertical Har- vest Crop Intelligence System brings together machine learning models trained on climate, crop and yield data and computer vision to under- stand crop morphology and predict outcomes and recipe optimization activation tools that will help us tweak light, water and air flow and nutri- ents for maximum efficiency. What's beautiful about this system is that it's the flexibility that we're growing. It's crop agnostic, it's location agnos- tic, and it's continuously learning," Yehia says. is ability to monitor and adjust conditions is especially important in controlled indoor growing envi- ronments where climate regulation directly affects crop performance. At the same time, Vertical Harvest is intentionally using technology to cre- ate new opportunities in the workforce. Automation of physically demand- ing tasks allows a more diverse range of people to participate in green- house operations. AI also helps ana- lyze workflow, accessibility, and pace consistency, tailoring job assignments to individual strengths while balanc- ing operational needs. "We're learning about the ability of people to do the jobs as they're doing C ONTI NU ED ON FOLLOWI NG PAGE » Maine businesses need graduates who can put AI to work responsibly and effectively. Husson delivers. Our students learn to harness the tools transforming every industry – from data analytics to health simulations – while building the judgment and adaptability today's economy demands. Behind every Husson graduate is a faculty and staff community committed to guiding principles that balance innovation with responsibility. Our work with the American Association of Colleges and Universities' national AI institute and the Council of Independent Colleges' AI Ready program is developing scalable strategies that connect education directly to Maine's business needs. PREPARING MAINE FOR AN AI FUTURE HUSSON IS HOW. 1 COLLEGE CIRCLE | BANGOR, MAINE 207.941.7000 | HUSSON.EDU Vertical Harvest employees Tim and Pete.

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