At SynergyDays2026, this plenary session will explore how to move AI solutions in agri-food from validation to real-world adoption. Raffaele Giaffreda will join the roundtable discussion, alongside key actors from across the innovation ecosystem.
The most important conference connecting the digital innovators of the European agri-food sector.
AI & the Valley of Death: EDIHs, TEFs and Regions as the Deployment Fast-Lane
Explore how promising AI solutions in agri-food can move beyond pilot projects and into real-world use. This plenary brings together SMEs, farmers, investors, EDIHs, TEFs and regional actors to examine the barriers between validation and adoption. Through real SME stories and a dynamic panel discussion, the session will spotlight what is needed to scale innovation faster, reduce risk, build trust and create stronger pathways from test to field across Europe’s agri-food sector.
The panel:
🔹 Raffaele Giaffreda, Chief Innovation Scientist, Fondazione Bruno Kessler – FBK, Italy
🔹 Kieran Sullivan , Farmer, Technologist and Researcher, Walton Institute, SETU Research, Innovation and Impact, Ireland
🔹 Laura Clifford, Senior Programme Manager for European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (EDIHs), Enterprise Ireland, Ireland
🔹 Daniel Copot, Business Development Manager, DIH AGRIFOOD Manager, ITC – Innovation Technology Cluster, Slovenia
🔹 Jerome O Connell, CEO & Co-founder, Proveye, Ireland
🔹 Padraig Hennessy, CEO, TERRA NutriTECH, Ireland
🔹 David Bowles, Managing Partner, The Yield Lab Europe
🔹 Grigoris Chatzikostas, Chair, reframe.food, Greece
Check out the full program of the Synergy days here: https://www.synergyportal.eu/synergy-days
