Tunisia's Sousse University Wins Economic Innovation Award at Mediterranean AI Forum

A research team from Tunisia's Sousse University has won the Economic Innovation Award at the Mediterranean Artificial Intelligence Forum held in Marseille, France on November 5. The team developed a project titled "Artificial Intelligence to Protect Olive Oil and Anticipate Harvest Estimates." The project competed with 82 others and reached the final stage among six projects, ultimately securing one of two awards given at the forum.

The winning project utilizes low-cost artificial intelligence techniques to verify the quality of olive oil, detect fraud, and predict olive harvest yields. It relies on agricultural and climatic data to achieve these goals. The research team consists of Professor Wajdi Kourba, Deputy Head of Sousse University's Higher Institute of Informatics and Communication, project leader Professor Farah Jmili Ghaddab, and Professor Salma Mzghni from the same institute. Additional team members include Professor Mouna Ayachi Mzghni from the University of Sfax's Institute of Olive Tree and Iman Khatib, a master's graduate in artificial intelligence.

The Mediterranean AI Forum provided a platform for the Sousse University team to showcase their innovative project. By leveraging AI technology, the team aims to support the olive oil industry in Tunisia and beyond. The award recognizes the team's efforts to develop practical and cost-effective solutions for authenticating olive oil and predicting harvests.

Tunisia's olive oil sector stands to benefit significantly from this AI-powered project. With the ability to verify the quality and authenticity of olive oil, producers and consumers can have greater confidence in the products. Moreover, the project's predictive capabilities can help farmers and policymakers make informed decisions about olive cultivation and harvest management.

The Economic Innovation Award is a testament to the research team's dedication to applying AI technology to real-world problems. By developing and implementing innovative solutions, the team is contributing to the growth and development of Tunisia's economy. The award also highlights the country's potential for innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of AI and technology.

Sousse University's achievement at the Mediterranean AI Forum demonstrates the institution's commitment to fostering research and innovation. The university's research team has shown that with collaboration and determination, Tunisian institutions can compete on the international stage and achieve recognition for their work.

The project's success can be attributed to the team's interdisciplinary approach, combining expertise in AI, agriculture, and data analysis. As the team continues to develop and refine their project, they are likely to have a lasting impact on Tunisia's olive oil industry and beyond.

Key points

• Sousse University's AI project aims to authenticate olive oil and predict harvests using low-cost AI techniques.