Bridging Horizons
Researchers from New Zealand and Europe will come together at École Polytechnique’s LIX Laboratory for Bridging Horizons, an event focused on building collaborative AI solutions for agritech and environmental science. This gathering also marks the launch of the TAIAO AI Research Network — fostering enduring partnerships to advance data-driven sustainability, agricultural innovation, and environmental monitoring.
What is happening?
On 21 November 2025, researchers from New Zealand and Europe will gather at École Polytechnique’s LIX Laboratory to explore new collaborations in Artificial Intelligence for Agritech and Environmental Science.
This event marks the beginning of the TAIAO AI Research Network, a partnership connecting leading AI groups across both regions to advance data-driven sustainability, agricultural innovation, and environmental monitoring.
The collaboration is co-led by Professor Jesse Read (École Polytechnique, LIX) and Professor Albert Bifet (University of Waikato, Director of TAIAO and co-chair of the New Zealand AI Researchers Association, representing over 500 members nationwide).
The participants of the event will include researchers, PHD students, guests from IP Paris, INRIA, Paris-Saclay, the New Zealand Embassy in Paris, and a focus group of 30-40 participants. Together they aim to strengthen research links between Aotearoa New Zealand and Europe, applying AI to address climate, food-system, and ecosystem challenges.
The event expects to achieve the following outcomes:
Shared understanding of AI applications in Agritech and Environmental Science.
Initial collaboration roadmap for joint Horizon Europe proposals and research exchanges.
The official launch of the TAIAO AI Research Network — a bridge for sustainable AI research and innovation.
MBIE AI Delegation
Find out more about the AI delegation by downloading the information pack.
Event Programme
Browse the complete programme for the event here or feel free to download using the button below.
Time | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
09:00 - 09:15 | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Prof. Jesse Read (LIX) and Prof. Te Taka Keegan open the event, outlining goals for Europe–NZ cooperation in AI for Agritech and Environmental Science. |
09:15 - 09:35 | Keynote 1 – AI in New Zealand: Opportunities for Collaboration with Europe | Prof. Stephen MacDonell (Victoria University of Wellington) presents an overview of AI research in New Zealand, national research priorities, and strategic synergies with Horizon Europe programmes. |
09:35 - 09:55 | Keynote 2 – TAIAO Streaming Machine Learning for Environmental and Agritech Applications | Prof. Yun Sing Koh (TAIAO / University of Auckland) discusses advances in streaming machine learning and its use in real-time environmental monitoring and agricultural analytics. |
09:55 - 10:15 | Keynote 3 – Human-interpretable Machine Learning in Agriculture and Biology
| Dr. Alberto Tonda (INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay) presents works of the EKINOCS team, focused on human-interpretable machine learning for dynamical systems in agriculture and biology. |
10:15 - 10:35 | Coffee Break | Informal networking among participants. |
10:35 - 11:45 | Research Showcase & Mini Talks | Short 8–10 minute presentations from NZ and EU researchers on AI topics. |
11:45 - 12:30 | Open Discussion – Next Steps for Collaboration | Roundtable discussion to identify shared research themes, PhD collaboration opportunities, and Horizon Europe project pathways. |
12:30 - 14:00 | Networking Lunch | Lunch and informal discussions among researchers, students, and invited guests. |
Contact Details
Europe
Professor Jesse Read - École Polytechnique (LIX)
Email: jesse.read@polytechnique.edu
New Zealand
Professor Albert Bifet - Director, AI Institute & TAIAO/ University of Waikato Co-chair New Zealand AI Researchers Association
Email: abifet@waikato.ac.nz
TAIAO AI Research Network
We'll have more information to share with you on this shortly. In the meantime, check out the webpage.
The University of Waikato
University of Canterbury
The University of Auckland
Victoria University of Wellington
MetService
Beca
